Ellis may help on front lines

Arrivals, right and left.

There was a smiling Matt Ellis, who was claimed by the Kings on waivers Thursday. He had a commendable attitude for someone coming from a first-place team (Detroit) to the last-place Kings.

Kings Coach Marc Crawford praised Ellis’ versatility at forward after practice Friday and said he planned to use him at center today because of the knee injury sidelining Derek Armstrong.

“A bit of a roller coaster emotionally,” said Ellis, who had six points in eight games with the Red Wings. “Detroit told me they were putting me on waivers, hoping I’d get through to the minors. To be perfectly honest, at about noon, I hadn’t heard anything, so I kind of let my guard down.”

Then there was backup goalie Erik Ersberg, who joined the team on emergency recall from Manchester because of the groin injury keeping No. 1 goalie Jason LaBarbera out until at least next week. Ersberg, for his part, was simply happy to have his own equipment finally make it here.

Meanwhile, Kings defenseman Rob Blake had a full practice, the most encouraging sign since fracturing his left ankle. Blake, if he is still a King after Tuesday’s trade deadline, could return Thursday at Edmonton. “As long as there’s no setbacks,” he said. “It feels fine when I took it [the skate] off here just now.”

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TODAY

vs. Chicago, 1 p.m., FSN West

Radio -- 1150.

Site -- Staples Center.

Records -- Kings 26-34-3, Blackhawks 28-26-6.

Record vs. Blackhawks -- 2-1.

Update -- Beware the embarrassed. The Blackhawks lost, 9-2, when they were last here Jan. 1. Chicago is 5-1-1 in its last seven games and 4-1-1 since the return of star rookie forward Jonathan Toews, who hurt his knee in that game against the Kings.

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lisa.dillman@latimes.com