Sore Back Puts Palffy on Injured List

If the Kings are to break out of their offensive doldrums over their next few games, they’ll have to do it without Ziggy Palffy.

Palffy was put on the injured-reserve list Monday, retroactive to Saturday, and Coach Andy Murray revealed that the Kings’ leading scorer last season has been bothered by a sore back since the start of the season.

Palffy, who had four goals and three assists in the Kings’ first 11 games before sitting out Sunday’s 3-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes because of back spasms, is expected to be sidelined for at least three games. Jaroslav Bednar was recalled from Manchester, N.H., to take his place on the roster.

“I think the bottom-line thing for us is to get Ziggy healthy,” said Murray, who does not expect the winger back in the lineup before the Kings’ game Nov. 8 against the Calgary Flames at Staples Center. “It’s been a struggle for him. He hasn’t been healthy. He hasn’t had the same jump or the same ability to fight for pucks. He’s not shooting or handling the puck the way he could. So, I think it’s a positive that we get this cleared up and he’s ready to go. Then, it’s up to Ziggy.”

Palffy is not the only banged up King. Aaron Miller is also on the injured-reserve list, also because of back spasms, and Adam Deadmarsh, Mathieu Schneider, Philippe Boucher, Jaroslav Modry and Bryan Smolinski all sat out Monday’s practice at the United Center because of various aches and pains.

Deadmarsh is the only one considered questionable for tonight’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks. His injury, suffered in the first period Sunday, seems to be a mystery even to the Kings. It apparently happened when Deadmarsh took a blow to the midsection from Hurricane defenseman Jeff Ward, Murray said after watching videotape of the game.

Tonight’s trip finale is the Kings’ sixth game in six cities in 11 days.

“We’ve had a pretty intense schedule here at the start of the season,” Murray said, addressing the injury report. “It catches up to you.”

The Kings are expected to be without Schneider tonight after the defenseman flew to Los Angeles late Monday to be with his wife, Shannon, who is due to deliver the couple’s second child.

TONIGHT

At Chicago

Site--United Center.

Radio--KSPN (1110) (delayed after World Series game).

Records--Kings 3-6-1-2, Blackhawks 6-3-3-0.

Record vs. Blackhawks--(2000-01) 0-1-3-0.

Update--The Blackhawks gave up two goals in the last 18 seconds of a 3-3 tie with the Boston Bruins on Sunday night--”It feels like a loss,” goaltender Jocelyn Thibault said--but still stretched their unbeaten streak to seven games.