Big Payoffs From Trade With Boston

Nearly a year ago, the Kings made big news when they acquired high-scoring center Jason Allison in a trade from Boston for forwards Jozef Stumpel and Glen Murray.

Allison, who will be sidelined for at least two months because of a knee injury, has emerged as a point-a-game player, leading the Kings in scoring last season and ranking among league leaders before his injury.

But Allison wasn’t the only player the Kings received from Boston.

Considered somewhat of a throw-in at the time, winger Mikko Eloranta has been a major surprise for Coach Andy Murray. Skating on the Kings’ “Headache Line” with Ian Laperriere and Brad Chartrand, Eloranta always gets the job done defensively. But this season, he has added more offense to his game.

“Coming here in a trade like I did last season was a big change for me,” said Eloranta, who has two goals and five points in 11 games after scoring 18 in 77 games last season. “After Christmas, I started feeling more comfortable and I’m just continuing this season.”

Eloranta, 30, represented Finland this year at the Salt Lake City Olympics and played two seasons with Boston.

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Winger Adam Deadmarsh, who did not play in Thursday’s overtime loss at Chicago because of a right wrist injury, is listed as questionable for tonight’s game against the Nashville Predators at Staples Center.

Tests on Friday revealed Deadmarsh’s injury is only a sprain. Deadmarsh, who suffered the injury at Columbus last Sunday, was examined by Kerlan-Jobe hand specialist Dr. Norman Zemel and did not practice.

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TONIGHT

vs. Nashville, 7:30

Fox Sports Net

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KSPN (1110).

Records -- Kings 5-2-2-1, Predators 1-5-1-2.

Record vs. Predators (2001-02) -- 3-0-1-0.

Update -- The Kings’ defensemen have combined for seven goals and 20 points this season, led by Mathieu Schneider’s three goals and four assists and Lubomir Visnovsky’s three goals and two assists.

Tickets -- (888) 546-4752.