Laperriere Out; Pirnes Hurt Too

If the Kings can’t go to Manchester, N.H., then Manchester apparently will come to the Kings.

In a busy day of transactions necessitated by injury woes, the Kings on Friday called up two more players from their American Hockey League affiliate, right wing John Tripp and center Jerred Smithson.

The reinforcements were required because forward Ian Laperriere was put on the injured reserve list, retroactive to Nov. 26, because of a concussion. To make room for the forwards, defenseman Tim Gleason was sent down to Manchester.

King Coach Andy Murray said the Gleason move was made out of necessity, not displeasure with the rookie, pointing out that he was the only player who could go to Manchester without having to go on waivers.

Also missing practice Friday were forwards Esa Pirnes and Brad Chartrand. Murray said that Chartrand was under the weather and that Pirnes had an injury similar to Laperriere’s, which initially was believed to be a cervical strain. Pirnes, who was hurt about 1 minute 30 seconds into the third period of Thursday’s 6-4 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes, also was scheduled to visit a doctor Friday.

Laperriere was injured Nov. 19 against Nashville and had tried to play through it before having to sit out Thursday night.

“I thought I was going to shake it off,” Laperriere said Thursday. “I had to stop denying myself. I had to tell someone before it got worse. Since that hit, I didn’t feel right.”

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Murray continued to use the word ridiculous to describe the loss to the Coyotes.

“It was just a ridiculous game for us to lose based on the work ethic,” he said. The effort of three players in particular was deemed insufficient by Murray, and he made a point of speaking to them at practice in El Segundo.

Defensemen Jaroslav Modry and Lubomir Visnovsky had a minus-four rating and a minus-three rating, respectively. Rookie forward Dustin Brown had a minus-three, and goaltender Roman Cechmanek faced 22 shots and made 17 saves. Murray said Cechmanek would start today against the Chicago Blackhawks.

TODAY

vs. Chicago, 1 p.m., Fox Sports Net

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KSPN (710).

Records -- Kings 10-9-1-1, Blackhawks 6-11-4-3.

Record vs. Blackhawks -- 1-1.

Update -- The Kings aren’t the only ones struggling with injuries. The Blackhawks, winless in their last 10 games, are similarly afflicted. They are 0-4-0-1 entering the final stop of their six-game trip.

Tickets -- (888) 546-4752.