Belanger Reinjures His Groin in Practice

The Kings were hoping for a boost with the scheduled return of center Eric Belanger for tonight’s game against Tampa Bay.

Instead, they got a jolt when the center reinjured his groin during Monday’s practice, walked angrily off the ice and left the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo without talking to reporters.

“He didn’t catch a rut or anything. He hurt it on just a normal drill,” Coach Andy Murray said of Belanger, who has been sidelined since Dec. 29.

Reached later by phone, Belanger said he had visited Dr. Ronald Kvitne of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic and was told he had not re-torn the groin muscle.

“I’m not back to Square 1, but it’s not right,” he said. “It’s pretty frustrating.”

Belanger will not be available tonight.

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The Kings also will be without high-scoring defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky, who is suffering from what the team says is a cervical strain. He may be available Thursday when the Kings play Atlanta.

Visnovsky played limited minutes Thursday against Boston but was sent home from Buffalo -- where the Kings were 10-1 losers Saturday -- with what were described as flu symptoms.

The team later announced that his problems stemmed from a head injury -- similar to but not as severe as a concussion -- suffered during a previous game.

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Defenseman Aaron Miller, who has not played since Dec. 21 because of back problems, skated before practice and said a recent epidural treatment was effective.

Goalie Jason LaBarbera was recalled from Manchester, where he had been sent for conditioning, and will be available tonight.

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TONIGHT

vs. Tampa Bay, 7:30, FSN West

Site -- Staples Center

Radio -- 710.

Records -- Kings 28-17-2, Lightning 22-20-3.

Record vs. Lightning -- (2003-04) 1-0

Update -- The Stanley Cup champion Lightning is in 10th place in the Eastern Conference.