Defense Corps Is Taking Some Hits

A phone call after the morning skate Tuesday in Denver sent defenseman Sean O’Donnell off to Ottawa, Canada, for a family medical emergency, leaving the Kings with something of an emergency themselves.

A quick call to Long Beach summoned defenseman Jan Nemecek, who had just arrived at LAX from an Ice Dogs’ game at Utah a night earlier.

Nemecek arrived at Pepsi Center a few minutes before the Kings warmed up for their game against Colorado. His presence meant the Kings would go with three rookie defensemen--Nemecek, Jere Karalahti and Fran Kaberle--and frequently scratched Jaroslav Modry, plus the veteran pair of Rob Blake and Mattias Norstrom.

Nemecek skated with Karalahti in a pairing that was used at Long Beach only a week ago.

To make room for Nemecek, Aki Berg was put on injured reserve, retroactive to Dec. 23, because of a rib injury.

Besides Berg, the Kings are also without defenseman Garry Galley, who continues to feel the residual effects of a concussion suffered in a Dec. 14 game at New Jersey.

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Winger Craig Johnson was scratched because of a shoulder injury he suffered Dec. 22 at San Jose. Johnson played Sunday against Phoenix, but was benched during the third period because his play was hampered by the shoulder.

Johnson, newcomer Bob Corkum, center Jason Blake, winger Vladimir Tsyplakov and Berg went through a heated workout Tuesday morning in Denver.

Blake has been cleared to play after dealing with the effects of a concussion, but he is being held out until he gets a bit more practice time.

TONIGHT

vs. Edmonton, 7:30

Fox Sports Net

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KRLA (1110).

* Records--Kings 16-14-6-2, Oilers 12-16-9-5.

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

* Update--Edmonton beat the Mighty Ducks on Monday night, 4-1, but it was at home. The Oilers are 3-13-3 on the road. They are 9-3-6 in their last 18 games after a miserable start, but that start included a 5-4 victory over the Kings--yes, at Edmonton--on Oct. 16, the Oilers’ first victory of the season. Center Doug Weight came back against the Ducks after missing five games because of a cracked rib and had two assists.