Injuries bring on prospects

Brian Willsie woke up with a sore lower back Sunday morning and Michael Cammalleri’s bruised ribs have been slow to heal, prompting the Kings to promote two of their top prospects.

Teddy Purcell, a 23-year-old forward who is third in the American Hockey League with 53 points and leads all first-year players in scoring, will be making his NHL debut when the Kings begin their three-game trip tonight in Edmonton.

He’ll be joined by 24-year-old Peter Harrold, who leads AHL defensemen in points with 38. Harrold has played 12 games in the NHL, all with the Kings.

To make room on the roster, Cammalleri, third on the team with 15 goals, was put on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 22. Jon Klemm, a 38-year-old defenseman, was assigned to Manchester (N.H.) over the weekend.

Willsie is listed as day to day, according to Coach Marc Crawford, and defenseman Kevin Dallman might also return toward the end of the three-game Canadian swing. Dallman broke his right foot the same day Cammalleri injured his ribs.

Jason LaBarbera and Derek Armstrong didn’t pack any four-leaf clovers or rabbit’s feet for the trip, but they are feeling lucky these days.

LaBarbera made a sprawling glove save with 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation to keep the score tied Saturday afternoon against the Dallas Stars. He then stopped three of four in the shootout to lift the Kings to their second straight home victory, 4-3, at Staples Center.

“It was more of a desperation scramble play for me,” LaBarbera said of his diving stop in regulation. “I was lucky enough that it helped make me look good.”

Armstrong scored his fourth goal of the season midway through the first period, slapping a rebound off Dallas goalkeeper Marty Turco and into the net. Armstrong said he tried to beat Turco up high on his glove side, but instead hit him in the chest.

“I’ve gotten unlucky enough, it’s nice to get lucky once in a while,” Armstrong said.

Crawford said the Kings should benefit from playing in a large hockey market during the height of winter.

“Any time you’re in that total hockey atmosphere, I think it always allows you to know what your responsibilities are,” Crawford said.

The flood of Canadian journalists should also be motivation. “Notoriety is good. I think it keeps people honest,” Crawford said. “Certainly, the Dallas Cowboys are feeling that way today in the football market.”

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TONIGHT

at Edmonton, 6 PST

Site -- Philips Arena.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Kings 17-27-2, Oilers 21-21-4.

Record vs. Oilers -- 1-0-1.

Update -- Edmonton goalie Mathieu Garon was part of a five-man rotation that gave up 283 goals for the Kings last season, but he has secured the job for the Oilers. He won his fifth game in his last six starts Sunday, stopping 27 shots in a 2-1 victory against visiting Calgary.

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dan.arritt@latimes.com