Visnovsky, Cechmanek to Sit Out Against Canucks

Another day, another time to talk about concussions and the ever-growing King injury bug -- almost 250 man-games lost and counting -- that has even been passed on to the media.

The Kings have gained at least one point in eight of their last nine games, but they continue to lose in the area of personnel, the latest doctor’s report costing them defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky and goaltender Roman Cechmanek for at least one more game, and possibly TV color commentator Jim Fox, who had unexpected elbow surgery Sunday morning.

Visnovsky became the fifth King player sidelined with a concussion or concussion-like symptoms after being diagnosed Sunday, and Cechmanek did not make the trip for tonight’s game against the Vancouver Canucks because he aggravated a hip injury Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche.

Neither condition is considered serious, and both players could return Friday against the San Jose Sharks. Visnovsky has not played since getting hit in the eye Thursday by the stick of Phoenix Coyote center Daymond Langkow.

“He will be ready for the next game,” King Coach Andy Murray said. “It’s more related to his eye and his vision. Roman should also be ready to play by then. He made a movement, and it bothered him and he couldn’t continue.”

Fox, who works King games with Bob Miller on Fox Sports Net, underwent surgery after experiencing exaggerated swelling in his elbow before Saturday’s game. Fox felt pain during a pregame production meeting and did the game with ice packs on his elbow before being diagnosed with a staph infection. He could rejoin the team today in Vancouver.

*

The Kings could win tonight by 10 goals and there would still be some type of positive recognition from Vancouver fans, at least in the beginning.

Right wing Trent Klatt, who spent five seasons with the Canucks and became a fan favorite because of his crashing style, will play in Vancouver for the first time since signing with the Kings.

Klatt is tied for third on the Kings with eight goals, has a plus-eight plus-minus rating and is one of five players to appear in all 33 King games.

“He’s been everything we’ve expected of him, probably more,” Murray said. “He’s one of our best acquisitions in the past few years. He’s a great team player.”

*

Forward Martin Straka will not play tonight, because he is in Pittsburgh for the expected birth of his first child.... Goaltender Milan Hnilicka was recalled from minor-league affiliate Manchester (N.H.) for the second time in as many weeks to back up Cristobal Huet. Winger John Tripp was also called up for a second time.