Calder lost to a thumb injury

So much for the injury bug steering clear of the Kings.

Forward Kyle Calder, one of the team’s more effective off-season additions, suffered a fractured left thumb early in the third period of Wednesday’s 4-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets at Staples Center.

Calder, who has three goals and six points in 13 games, had surgery Thursday at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic. It is uncertain how long he will be out of the lineup.

“It’s a big loss for us because of the presence he had in front of the net,” captain Rob Blake said of Calder, who signed as an unrestricted free agent in July. “He’s a big guy for us on the power play because of the type of goals that he scores. He’s a guy who does hard work down low. . . . He’ll be hard to replace.”

Calder had points in five of the last seven games, including a power-play goal against Columbus.

The Kings on Thursday recalled forward Matt Moulson from the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League.

The Kings head into the portion of the schedule that will have a direct impact on their position in the Pacific Division. Starting with this weekend’s back-to-back/home-and-home matchup against San Jose, the Kings will play all 11 games in November against division rivals. The Sharks lead the division with 13 points.

TONIGHT

at San Jose, 7:30

Radio -- 1150.

Site -- HP Pavilion.

Records -- Kings 6-7; Sharks 6-5-1.

Last year vs. Sharks -- 2-6.

Update -- Goaltender J.S. Aubin is expected to start tonight for the Kings, which would be his first appearance since getting pulled in a 4-3 loss at Calgary on Oct. 18.

lisa.dillman@latimes.com

lonnie.white@latimes.com