They’ll Be Short-Handed Once Again

Rookie Alexander Frolov left Friday’s practice early after suffering a nasty cut on his right cheek, the result of an inadvertent high stick, and defenseman Mattias Norstrom hobbled off because of a groin injury.

Both, however, are expected to be on board today when the Kings fly to Denver for Sunday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche.

That’s the good news.

As for the bad:

* Jason Allison, sidelined the last two games, was put on the injured-reserve list, making him ineligible to test his damaged right knee until Monday night against the Chicago Blackhawks, at the earliest.

* Bryan Smolinski, whose left eye was scratched by a high stick in Thursday’s overtime victory over the Phoenix Coyotes, was told he shouldn’t fly today, so he won’t be in the Pepsi Center on Sunday.

* Adam Deadmarsh probably won’t make the trip, Coach Andy Murray said, but a final determination won’t be made until after this morning’s practice. Because of dizziness, he hasn’t played since Dec. 15.

*

Forward Jerred Smithson, recalled from the Kings’ American Hockey League team at Manchester, N.H., is expected to make his NHL debut Sunday, joining rookies Michael Cammalleri, Joe Corvo and Frolov in a makeshift lineup.

None were with the Kings in Denver last spring when they met the Avalanche in the playoffs. Neither were Kip Brennan, Brad Norton, Derek Armstrong, Dmitry Yushkevich, Chris McAlpine or Erik Rasmussen, who probably will sit out because of a back injury.

-- Jerry Crowe