O’Donnell Can Dish It Out and He Can Take It Too

Sean O’Donnell knew it was going to happen, so when he was suspended for two games by the NHL Wednesday, there was no surprise.

“I understand where he’s coming from,” said King defenseman O’Donnell of the NHL’s director of operations, Colin Campbell.

O’Donnell was suspended--losing $10,416.66 in pay--for cross-checking the Predators’ Cliff Ronning in a 4-3 Kings’ win Monday at Nashville.

The infraction drew a match penalty, prompting automatic review by Campbell.

“I did use my stick,” O’Donnell said. “They’re trying to cut back on injuries, and he has a job to do.”

The Kings have been hit with four suspensions totaling 19 games and $316,318.91 in fines this season. Winger Matt Johnson drew the longest suspension, 12 games; and defenseman Rob Blake was suspended twice for a total of five games and fines totaling $210,780.29.

Ronning continued to play after being hit by O’Donnell. Predator winger Sebastien Bordeleau did not fare as well.

Seconds after scoring the game’s first goal in the first period, Bordeleau was checked cleanly by O’Donnell. Bordeleau will undergo surgery today for a cracked vertebra.

Michael Pagnani, the team’s doctor, said he did not know long it would take Bordeleau to recover, but said he should be able to play again.

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Blake returns to the ice tonight after serving his two-game suspension but is suffering from a staph infection that has left him weak and broken out in a rash.

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Goalie Manny Legace was sent back to the Ice Dogs and Ryan Bach was recalled to back up Stephane Fiset for tonight’s game against the Mighty Ducks.

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King assistant Jay Leach has been named to the staff of Coach Terry Murray for the U.S. team in the World Hockey Championships in Oslo in May.

“I’d rather be coaching us in the playoffs,” Leach said of the Kings, “but this is a great honor.”

Leach probably will have at least one King on the team. Winger Craig Johnson has been invited to play.

TONIGHT Mighty Ducks vs. Kings 7:30, Fox Sports West

* Site--Great Western Forum.

* Radio--XTRA (690), KRLA (1110).

* Records--Ducks 35-33-12, Kings 30-44-5.

* Record vs. each other--Ducks, 5-0.

* Update--The Ducks have outscored the Kings, 15-5, in their five games, but have been outshot, 171-129.

* Tickets--1-888-546-4752.