Robitaille out at least 6-8 weeks

Archived from 1997-98 season.

The much improved Los Angeles Kings will be without one key piece to their success. Luc Robitaille, who has missed three games with a groin injury, underwent surgery for a strained abdominal muscle and is expected to be sidelined for at least six to eight more weeks.

Robitaille spent eight seasons with the Kings before being traded to Pittsburgh in 1994. The Kings reacquired him in a trade with the New York Rangers on August 28, 1997. He has been one of the key elements in the Kings' recent upsurge by scoring big goals and providing leadership in the locker room for the young team.

Robitaille suffered the injury on Feb. t at Anaheim. Later a tear was discovered on an abdominal muscle and surgery was required.

"It has to be done," Kings coach Larry Robinson said. "He just can't exist with it as it is. He has seven game-winning goals for us, but what are you going to do? The other guys have to step up, and they're going to get a chance."

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