Quick returns to Kings after 59-game absence

LOS ANGELES – Goalie Jonathan Quick returned to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, ending a 59-game absence since he injured his groin in the first period of their season opener. Quick started for the struggling Kings against the Anaheim Ducks, drawing a raucous standing ovation from the Staples Center crowd.

The two-time Stanley Cup champion got hurt late in the first period Oct. 12 against San Jose, but decided on patient rehabilitation instead of surgery. Quick had been skating with the Kings for several weeks, but didn’t make any warmup starts in the minors.