Deadmarsh Starts to Assert Himself

When Adam Deadmarsh made his King debut Feb. 24, his heart was with his infant twin daughters, who were in intensive care after their premature birth. And when he suffered a bruised right hand in his first game after being acquired from the Colorado Avalanche in the Rob Blake trade, he was hurting in mind and body.

Finally, he’s free of worry. His children are thriving and so is he, having regained the strength to shoot without fear and get involved around the net. As a reward, he was moved up to the first line Monday to play the left side with Jozef Stumpel and Ziggy Palffy.

“I’m pretty excited,” he said. “It’s been frustrating to go out there and not be able to do what I want to do.”

Coach Andy Murray likened it to having handcuffs removed. “It was amazing,” Murray said of Deadmarsh’s recent improvement. “For the first time he could battle, he could pass and he could really shoot the puck.”

Knowing everything is OK at home has helped Deadmarsh too. “Hockey was secondary to dealing with my family,” he said. “I wanted to handle the situation the best I could. The team has been great. They’ve allowed me to go back [to Denver] a couple of times, and that’s important.”

Deadmarsh, a member of the 1998 U.S. Olympic hockey team, was not among the first 10 players chosen for the 2002 Salt Lake City team. He said he hasn’t heard whether he might be added before the Dec. 22 deadline, but he’s hopeful of getting a call.

TONIGHT

at San Jose, 7:30

Fox Sports Net

* Site--San Jose Arena.

* Radio--KSPN (1110).

* Records--Kings 34-28-12-1, Sharks 35-26-12-2.

* Record vs. Sharks--2-1-1.

* Update--The home-and-home series concludes at San Jose, where the Kings won, 4-1, in their first visit March 14. The Sharks have lost four of their last five home games. Of their last seven games, five will be at home.