In a quote on the Kings’ website today, goaltending coach Bill Ranford indicated that Erik Ersberg could return in one of the Kings’ three post-Christmas games: Dec. 26 or 27 against Phoenix or Dec. 29 against Columbus. Ersberg got hurt on Dec. 15 and had an estimated recovery time of two weeks, so Dec. 29 wouldn’t necessarily be an “early” return, but groin strains are notoriously tricky, so getting Ersberg back before the New Year would be a positive development.

“I think the plan is to hopefully have him back just after to Christmas,” Ranford said. “I don’t know if it will be the first game, but if we can get some practices in right after the break and as long as he doesn’t tweak it and go backwards, there will be a good chance he will be available right after Christmas.”