Smolinski Sidelined at Least a Month

The Kings’ worst fears concerning Bryan Smolinski were realized Tuesday when the center was declared sidelined for at least four weeks because of a torn ligament in his right knee.

The injury was sustained with 16.5 seconds to play in a 2-1 loss at Phoenix on Monday night when the Coyotes’ Travis Green slipped near the boards and rolled into Smolinski, hyperextending the knee inward and tearing the ligament.

No surgery is planned.

Smolinski, who has 20 goals and 56 points in his first season with the Kings since being traded from the New York Islanders, will probably be replaced by Ian Laperriere, who has spent most of this season and his NHL career in a checking role.

Luc Robitaille and Marko Tuomainen also played on that line Monday night.

Laperriere has eight goals and 21 points.

The move will have a trickle-down effect and will probably return Jason Blake to center after he played much of the second half of the season as a winger. His potential line includes wingers Steve McKenna and Brad Chartrand.

The third line, or “stoppers,” would probably bring together Bob Corkum, Kelly Buchberger and Dan Bylsma.

The effect of losing Smolinski on the Kings--who are already shy wingers Ziggy Palffy and Nelson Emerson and defenseman Rob Blake because of injuries--could be severe.

“But what I’m hearing from the players is that our goals, our objectives haven’t changed,” Coach Andy Murray said.

*

Blake remains out for tonight’s game because of a bruised knee. He is being reevaluated daily with hopes that he can play either Friday against Dallas or Sunday against the Ducks.

TONIGHT

at Vancouver, 7

Fox Sports Net

* Site--General Motors Place.

* Radio--KRLA (1110).

* Records--Kings 37-31-11-4, Canucks 29-36-14-8.

* Record vs. Canucks--2-0-1.

* Update--Vancouver learned Tuesday that winger Donald Brashear, out since Feb. 21 because of a concussion suffered when Boston’s Marty McSorley hit him in the head with his stick, has been cleared medically to play. Coach Marc Crawford was being coy about using Brashear, in part because the Canucks won, 3-2, at Chicago on Sunday and he is generally reluctant to change the lineup after a win. But the opportunity for an emotional boost for a team three points out of a playoff spot with three games to play will probably be too hard to pass up.