Belanger Must Rest His Injury

King center Eric Belanger said that an MRI exam on his injured groin revealed a small tear, leaving his status as week to week.

“Hopefully if I give it a little rest, I’ll be back fast,” he said.

Belanger re-injured his groin against Phoenix on Thursday and sat out the Kings’ game against Dallas on Saturday. He sat out two games before Christmas because of the same injury.

Belanger has been the Kings’ most consistent center. He is one of their top penalty killers and is used to help check the opponent’s top offensive line. He has also scored 11 goals, five shy of his career high.

-- Chris Foster

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TONIGHT

vs. Dallas, 7:30, OLN

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 1110.

Records -- Kings 25-14-2, Stars 24-12-1.

Record vs. Stars -- 3-1-0.

Update -- At the midway point in the season King Coach Andy Murray said Sunday he was satisfied with the team’s ability to compete on a nightly basis. Although six players are nursing injuries, the Kings are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games, including a 3-2 victory over Dallas on Saturday. Murray said Jeff Cowan, who is out because of a groin injury, is expected to play against Dallas tonight. Dallas was recently named host of the 2007 NHL All-Star game.

Tickets -- (888) 546-4752.

-- Jonathan Abrams