Miller, Smolinski Gear Up

As the Kings start to get some of their injured players back, such as defenseman Aaron Miller and forward Bryan Smolinski (both are expected to return to the lineup this week), it’s going to be important for them to be in game-ready shape as soon as possible.

That’s why Coach Andy Murray spent extra time at the end of Monday’s practice working out a group of players, which included Miller and Smolinski. Murray put them through a variety of conditioning exercises.

“We did some live battle drills with them at the end because that’s the one thing a player, who’s been out for a while, misses,” Murray said. “You skate all right but when someone’s leaning on you when you’re trying to skate, that makes a big difference.”

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With 36 games left, the Kings need 49 points to reach 93 this season, the total Murray said the team must reach to make the playoffs.

“The way we have to look at it in this business is that it doesn’t matter what anyone else says. It’s about what our players believe,” he said. “I think that’s there’s still a belief system.... We knew at the beginning of the year that it was going to be a battle even if we were healthy.

“We’ve been there for quite a while now.... Our record hasn’t been that great over the last 12 games but it’s not because we haven’t had a sense of urgency. We’ve been in a state of necessary effort for quite some time.”

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Winger Ziggy Palffy was given Monday off by Murray and defenseman Mathieu Schneider did not work out so he could rest a nagging groin injury.

Forward Ian Laperriere, who sat out Saturday’s game at Calgary because of a back injury, is expected to play Wednesday against the Mighty Ducks.

Forward Eric Belanger, who still is not skating because of a back injury, may not return for at least another week. Defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky, who suffered a left knee injury against the Flames, will be sidelined until at least the end of the month.