KINGS-DUCKS REPORT

For much of the season, King Coach Larry Robinson had a superstition of knocking on wood whenever he spoke about the team’s lack of injuries. Not any more.

The Kings lost one more veteran to an injury Sunday when veteran defenseman Doug Zmolek was ruled out for at least four games because a right shoulder sprain. Zmolek, a key player to the team’s chemistry, is expected to be placed on injured reserve today where he will join Jozef Stumpel and Luc Robitaille.

The Kings did receive some good news when center Nathan LaFayette, who sat out Saturday’s win over Detroit because of post concussion syndrome, was cleared by doctors to return to the ice. Robinson said LaFayette will be in the lineup tonight against the Mighty Ducks.

*

Tonight’s matchup with Anaheim will be the first of back-to-back games for the Kings, who play at Phoenix Tuesday night. Robinson said goaltender Stephane Fiset will start tonight and Frederic Chabot is likely to get his ninth start against the Coyotes.

Chabot, who needs to play at least 31 minutes in two more games in order to qualify for an off-season roster spot with the Kings, might then be sent down to the minors and replaced on the roster by forward Vitali Yachmenev, currently with Long Beach of the International Hockey League.

TONIGHT

Ducks at Kings

* 7:30

* Fox Sports

West

Site--Great Western Forum.

Radio--XTRA 690 (AM).

Records--Kings 28-22-11; Mighty Ducks 20-33-9.

Season record--Kings lead 2-0-1.

Update--The Kings ended a three-game winless streak with a 2-1 win over Detroit on Saturday. This will be the final game of a five-game home stand of the Kings, who are 17-10-3 at the Forum. The Kings are 22-2-2 when they score first. Goaltender Stephane Fiset has given up two goals or less in 10 of his last 13 starts at homes. Vladimir Tsyplakov has set a career high for assists with 24 and tied his best in points with 39.