Conroy, Belanger Are Sorely Missed

The Kings were back to doing what, unfortunately for them, they do best -- triage.

Centers Craig Conroy and Eric Belanger sat out Tuesday’s 6-2 loss to Phoenix, Conroy because of an eye injury after being struck by a puck against San Jose on Monday, and Belanger because of an elbow hyperextension.

Forward Pavol Demitra, who had just returned from sitting out six games because of an eye injury, was injured when plowed over by the Coyotes’ Keith Ballard in the third period. Demitra returned to the bench, but didn’t set foot again on the ice.

“I think there is a possibility that Belanger and Conroy could be back,” Coach Andy Murray said.

As for Demitra, Murray said, “He could have gone back into the game. That’s the last I heard of it.”

However, Murray has viewed injuries with rose-colored glasses on several occasions this season.

All three are important to the Kings’ hopes of holding on to a playoff spot. Demitra is the team’s most creative offensive player, and Conroy and Belanger are the team’s top two centers.

Alexander Frolov, meanwhile, continues to be listed as week to week because of a separated shoulder, and must pass another strength test this week before being allowed to do contact drills in practice.

The Kings have lost 289 man-games to injuries.

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Goaltender Mathieu Garon will be back in net tonight after giving up six goals. The blame, though, lays elsewhere, as the Kings were hardly diligent defensively.

It was the second time in four games that the Kings have fed Garon to an opponent. He was mercifully pulled from a 7-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on March 9.

Garon, who acknowledged suffering from fatigue during a difficult January, is expected to start most of the Kings’ remaining 15 games.

“We have played only seven games since the [Olympic] break, which was 10 days of total relaxation,” Murray said. “We’re monitoring the situation and have talked with him about it. At this point, he’s the guy designated to carry the load for us.”

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Murray has held firm all season that it will take 100 points to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Kings need to have an 11-3-1 record in their last 15 games to reach 100 points.

TONIGHT

vs. Dallas, 7:30, FSN West

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- Kings 36-26-5, Stars 43-19-3.

Record vs. Stars -- 5-1-0.

Update -- The Kings’ dominance over the Stars includes rallying from a three-goal deficit in the third period for a 6-5 victory Feb. 12. The Stars will be without forward Bill Guerin, who had surgery on a facial bone and is out at least a week. The Stars are the only NHL team that is undefeated in shootouts with a 9-0 record. This will be the Kings’ 3,000 regular-season game as a franchise.

Tickets -- (888) 546-4752.