Kings’ roster might change during trip

CHICAGO -- What will the Kings look like after this five-game trip starting in the Midwest, winding through Dallas and finishing in Arizona?

That, and one small drop-by, in the midst of it, to the most famous house in the country.

This would be Tuesday’s visit to the White House where the Stanley Cup champion Kings and the MLS champion Galaxy will meet President Obama.

Returning to the previous question, the Kings could be a slightly different-looking team by the time they return to Los Angeles. The last game of the trip is April 2, one day before the NHL’s trading deadline.

Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi is rarely idle this time of the year. Last season, he pulled the trigger on the Jeff Carter deal a few days before the deadline, getting Carter from Columbus for defenseman Jack Johnson and a future draft pick.

Two years ago, his move on the deadline day was acquiring winger Dustin Penner from the Edmonton Oilers for defenseman Colten Teubert, a first-round pick in 2011 and a third-round pick in 2012

On Sunday, action accelerated on the trade front around the league. Dallas Stars veteran forward Brenden Morrow waived his no-trade clause to join the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Joe Morrow. Mark Spector of Sportsnet.ca reported that Calgary General Manager Jay Feaster has informed NHL teams that little-used defensemen Cory Sarich and Anton Babchuck are available.

Sarich, at one time, was a particular favorite of Kings Coach Darryl Sutter when Sutter worked in Calgary. In 2007, Sutter signed the free-agent Sarich to a five-year, $18-million deal when he was the Flames’ general manager.

The question is whether the Kings kick the tires in this situation or do they stick with their current defense corps, also waiting for the return of injured Matt Greene and Willie Mitchell.

For now, the immediate problem is scoring. The Kings have been shut out in consecutive games, the first time that has happened since February 2012, and several players are mired in goal-scoring slumps. Mike Richards has one goal in 10 games and Carter, who has a team-leading 18 goals, has slowed, with one goal in his last eight games. Dustin Brown has no goals in five games and no points in four.

Planet Chicago

Just before the Kings played the Chicago Blackhawks last month, Sutter said all the usual complimentary things but declared they were not on a different “planet.”

Earth-bound, again. The Blackhawks have come back, a bit, after their sensational start. They blew a late lead at Anaheim on Wednesday, losing, 4-2, to the Ducks.

They’ve played well against the Kings, beating them in the season opener, 5-2, on Jan. 19 at Staples Center and 3-2 on Feb. 17 at Chicago.

“You always get up for those games a little more,” Chicago winger Viktor Stalberg told the Chicago Tribune. “We know they’ve played some pretty good hockey. The last two games have been tough for them but before that they were playing really well. It’s going to be a good test. I’m sure they’re going to come out hungry after getting shut out twice.”

Jordan Nolan is fined

Kings forward Jordan Nolan was fined $1,436.94 by the league Sunday. It was for his cross-check on the Vancouver Canucks’ Henrik Sedin in the second period Saturday, and there was no penalty called on the play.

Kings tonight

AT CHICAGO

When: 5 PDT.

Where: United Center.

On the air: TV: NBC Sports Network; Radio: 1150.

Record vs. Blackhawks: 0-2.

Etc.: Goalie Corey Crawford is scheduled to start against the Kings and forward Marian Hossa (upper-body injury) will probably be out of the lineup.