Straka’s Not Used to View From Press Box

Martin Straka arrived from the Pittsburgh Penguins as a bargain, an early holiday-season gift from a cash-strapped team that even agreed to pay half his salary next season.

He has gone from a bargain to a benching after being a healthy scratch Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues for the first time since he can remember.

“Nine, 10 years maybe,” he said.

When he was acquired Nov. 30 from the Penguins, the speedy Straka was hailed as a partial solution to the offensive abyss created by the absence of Jason Allison and Adam Deadmarsh.

He started off well enough, three goals in his first four games with the Kings, but he has had only three goals in 20 games since then.

He sat out 23 games in January and February after a knee-to-knee collision with Columbus defenseman Anders Eriksson that caused a partially torn ligament in his left knee. He has had one assist in six games since coming back from surgery.

Scott Barney scored a goal Tuesday in place of Straka, which means Straka’s chances of playing tonight against the San Jose Sharks were “uncertain,” according to King Coach Andy Murray.

“I did not see a lot of reasons to make changes after [Tuesday] night,” Murray said. “We thought our forwards played well.”

Straka, a two-time 30-goal scorer who had 95 points in 2000-01, said he’d rather be on the ice than watch from the press box.

“You always want to play, and that’s the bottom line,” said Straka, 31. “That was a coach’s decision, and you’ve got to respect that. Obviously we’re hoping for the playoffs and you’ve got to do what’s best for the team. I’ve got to go on the ice and practice and wait for my shot.

“I wasn’t producing, but I’ve started feeling a lot better in the last couple games. I felt like I was getting my legs back. Maybe I tried to get back maybe a little bit too quick [after surgery], I don’t know.”

The Kings acquired Straka from Pittsburgh for defenseman Martin Strbak and 19-year-old prospect Sergei Anshakov. The Kings will split Straka’s $4.7 million salary with the Penguins next season.

*

Murray hinted at a possible defensive change in the lineup tonight, but he declined to elaborate.

Murray also did not rule out the return of goaltender Roman Cechmanek, who has recovered from a groin pull that sidelined him for 12 games.

“We’ll evaluate whether he can possibly backup [tonight] or possibly play,” Murray said.

*

Luc Robitaille has revitalized his career, but it’s unclear where he goes from here. Robitaille, 38, is an unrestricted free agent after the season, but the looming lockout has him, and other players league-wide, exploring the option of playing in Europe next season.

“I asked my wife and kids that question and they were like, ‘If you want to go for an experience, maybe we would think about it,’ ” Robitaille said. “I really don’t know about it at this point, but it’s something I would consider.”

Robitaille has 1,367 points and needs two more to tie John Bucyk’s NHL record for points by a left wing.

*

The Kings are not assured a berth in the playoffs, but individual tickets for the first round go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (213) 365-3600. Tickets will not be sold Saturday at the Staples Center box office. Prices for first-round tickets range from $36.50 to $132.50.

*

TONIGHT

vs. San Jose, 7:30

Fox Sports Net

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KSPN (710).

Records -- Kings 28-21-16-7, Sharks 35-19-12-6.

Record vs. Sharks -- 0-2-1-0.

Update -- The Pacific Division-leading Sharks breezed by the Kings, 3-1, Saturday in San Jose. San Jose tied Dallas, 3-3, Tuesday as Jonathan Cheechoo scored twice in the final 1:37 of regulation.