Back Pain Stops Palffy

King winger Ziggy Palffy’s back finally caved in Saturday night, apparently from overwork.

Palffy was scratched from Saturday night’s game against Tampa Bay because of back spasms, according to team physician Ronald Kvitne.

“He’s been double-shifting, playing more with [Jozef] Stumpel and Luc [Robitaille] out,” said Kvitne, who added with a smile, “He’s got the whole team riding on his shoulders and that will get to anybody’s back.”

Palffy apparently complained of back pain when he reported to Staples Center for the game.

He had not played most of the third period in Friday’s 1-1 tie at the Arrowhead Pond, and Coach Andy Murray said that Palffy had asked out because of flu.

He does have flu, but denied asking to relinquish playing time. When asked why he didn’t play during the game’s closing minutes and a five-minute overtime period, he merely said, “Ask the coach.”

Palffy is the Kings’ leading scorer with 12 goals and has 15 assists, but he did not have a shot at the Pond and struggled all night.

He has sat out only three games because of injuries over a six-year career before coming to the Kings.

Kvitne said that his decision to rest Palffy was, in part, predicated on Robitaille’s return to the lineup and the time of the year. Were it the final week of the season, with the Kings in a playoff fight, Palffy could have played, Kvitne said.

Treatment will include massage and a trunk stability program, and Palffy is considered day-to-day.

His place at right wing, on a line with Len Barrie and Robitaille, was taken by Tsyplakov, who scored the Kings’ second goal of Saturday night’s game.

Tsyplakov had subbed for Robitaille for 10 games during his absence because of injury, then was scratched from Friday’s game at the Pond.

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Flu claimed defenseman Aki Berg, who also was scratched from Saturday’s game against Tampa Bay.

Berg, who assisted on Craig Johnson’s goal in Friday’s game, has a goal and eight assists, and his nine points is a career high.

Several Kings have had flu recently, including Johnson, who was virtually dehydrated after playing against Montreal last Saturday.

Berg was replaced by Jaroslav Modry, who was Sean O’Donnell’s partner and was in the starting lineup after being scratched in 24 of the Kings’ first 26 games.