Carter return to Kings remains uncertain

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Jeff Carter refused to commit to a timetable for his return to the Los Angeles Kings lineup.
The 33-year-old forward practiced Friday for the second time since sustaining a lacerated ankle tendon against the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 18. He had surgery to repair the injury the next day.

"It's never easy," Carter said. "This is the longest I've been out for any extended period of time.
"It was a new challenge for me. Nobody wants to sit out and be out of the lineup for four and a half months … sitting at home watching games on the couch. I try to be around the guys as best you can on practice days but you let them do their thing and focus on what they have to do. It's been a long time."
Kings coach John Stevens said Friday that it was doubtful Carter would play against the Edmonton Oilers at Staples Center on Saturday (10 p.m. ET; SN, SN360, CITY, FS-W, NHL.TV).

Carter skated on a line with left wing Tanner Pearson and right wing Tyler Toffoli at practice at Toyota Sports Center. He had been skating on his own for more than a month prior rejoining the team.
"I was sick of skating in circles by myself so it was nice to be out there and have a little fun," Carter said. "There's still some little stuff that has to be worked on and we'll continue to do that."
Carter's return would represent a significant boost with the 2018 NHL Trade Deadline approaching at 3 p.m. ET on Monday.
"He looked good," Stevens said. "If you didn't know he was an injured player you'd probably have a tough time picking him out. He skated well. He looked like his timing was pretty good, handled the puck well. From my perspective he looked good."
Said Toffoli: "I wish I could move like he does. I think a lot of people do.
"It's definitely been a long season without him. Guys have stepped up and I think we're ready for him to come and bring his minutes back in the game, play his game and things just fall into place."
Carter led the Kings with 32 goals and 66 points last season. He had three assists in six games this season when he was injured.
The Kings (33-23-5) are fourth in the Pacific Division, two points behind the third-place Anaheim Ducks. They're also one point behind the St. Louis Blues for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference.