Visnovsky Gets Some Better News

King defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky, sent home from the road because of flu-like symptoms, learned he had a cervical strain, which leaves him questionable for Tuesday’s game against Tampa Bay.

Visnovsky played a season-low 11 minutes 31 seconds against Boston on Thursday. He returned home and was examined by Michael Mellman, the team’s physician.

“We have been encouraged because we’re told it is not a concussion,” Coach Andy Murray said. “Lubo said he was feeling pretty good today. We hope to see him back shortly.”

Visnovsky was clobbered at center ice by the Ducks’ Todd Fedoruk last Monday. He was examined for concussion-like symptoms after that game by Ducks’ team doctor Craig Milhouse. He sat out of practice Tuesday for a “day of rest,” Murray said.

Murray said that Visnovsky’s injury was not related to the Fedoruk hit, but that he “got bumped” against Boston.

“This is something that may have been there for a while,” Murray said.

Visnovsky, who sat out six games because of a concussion during the 2003-04 season, declined an interview request Sunday, King officials said.

Playing without Visnovsky for any length of time would be a blow to the Kings, who have lost three of their last four games and have slipped four points behind first-place Dallas in the Pacific Division. He is second among NHL defensemen in goals (13) and points (45).

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The Kings reassigned center Matt Ryan and goaltender Adam Hauser to Manchester.

Goaltender Jason LaBarbera, sent to Manchester on a conditioning assignment to play three games, will rejoin the Kings today.

Sending Ryan back to the minors will clear a roster spot for center Eric Belanger, who is expected to play against Tampa Bay. He has not played since Dec. 29 because of a slightly torn groin.

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A bad day just got worse for the Kings. They were trounced, 10-1, by the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, then had to remain in Buffalo overnight when their charter was canceled because of mechanical problems.

The Kings returned home Sunday.