Allison Makes Progress

Six games after his trade from the Boston Bruins, Jason Allison is still looking for his first goal with the Kings.

But Coach Andy Murray said the all-star center is getting close.

“He could have had two or three goals in each of the last few games, and about two or three assists,” Murray said Monday. “He’s just a little bit off right now, making those little plays at the front of the net....

“I think we see what he’s capable of. It’s just inches away from happening. He’s so strong with the puck and protects it so well. He gives us some real bite in that center-ice position now where [when] you play a team that’s got a physical first-line center, you can match up against that with your guy. And that’s nice to have.”

Allison has three assists.

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Murray said rookie Jaroslav Bednar, who has no goals and one assist, could also be close to a breakthrough.

“He’s had chances the last few games and he’s starting to look like a player,” the coach said. “I think the offense will come for him. We just want to make sure he competes every night.”

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Ziggy Palffy and Aaron Miller, sidelined because of back spasms, are expected to resume skating today and Steve Kelly is scheduled to participate in his first full practice since abdominal surgery last month. Palffy is expected to play Thursday night against the Calgary Flames at Staples Center, and Miller could also be available.... Andreas Lilja, sidelined because of a knee injury, resumed skating Monday but is “two weeks away,” Murray said.

Five Kings--Allison, Palffy, Adam Deadmarsh, Felix Potvin and Mathieu Schneider--are on the ballot for the All-Star game Feb. 2 at Staples Center.... Left wing Derek Bekar was returned to the Kings’ American Hockey League team at Manchester, N.H.