This Really Is Season for Get-Well Cards

As the Kings embark on the post-Christmas portion of their schedule -- 48 games, starting tonight against the Phoenix Coyotes, through the season finale April 6 -- they have yet to play a game with their full complement of players.

Nor will they for at least two more weeks, Jan. 9 being the earliest projected return for defenseman Aaron Miller, sidelined because of a broken left foot.

“It’s part of the game,” Coach Andy Murray said of the spate of injuries, which sidelined seven players -- Jason Allison, Adam Deadmarsh, Erik Rasmussen, Lubomir Visnovsky, Steve Heinze, Ken Belanger and Miller -- for Monday night’s 5-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues.

“The tough part,” Murray added, “is we haven’t been able to really see what kind of team we are. Will we ever get to the point where the guys will be back long enough that we know exactly where we’re at?

“It’s so tough to get a read on our team. We’ve battled, we’ve kept ourselves in contention ... and I don’t know if anybody’s been hit as hard as we have with our top-end players.”

The key, captain Mattias Norstrom said, is to not dwell on it.

“We’re not the only team in this situation,” he said. “Sure, it’s tough, but we’ll get everybody healthy. Until then, we can’t just sit and wait. When will that be? Will it be a week from now? Will it be two weeks from now?

“We have games ahead of us right now. We have no choice but to dig in and find a way because there’s no other choice.”

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Allison’s status for tonight’s game will be determined today, but Rasmussen and Visnovsky are expected to return to the lineup after sitting out Monday’s game because of back injuries. Deadmarsh is not expected to play.

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TONIGHT

vs. Phoenix, 7:30, Fox Sports Net

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KSPN (1110).

Records -- Kings 15-12-4-3, Coyotes 11-16-6-2.

Record vs. Coyotes -- 1-1.

Update -- The Kings opened their season with a 4-1 victory over the Coyotes on Oct. 9 at Staples Center but could muster only a third-period goal by Adam Deadmarsh in a 2-1 loss Dec. 15 at Phoenix.

Tickets -- (888) 546-4752.