By Matt McHale Staff Writer
CHICAGO -- Ziggy Palffy's back spasms got worse Monday instead of better. The Kings' leading scorer last season is expected to spend the next week on injured reserve. Palffy, 29, has been bothered by back soreness through the first month of the season. The problem actually began during his first season with the club in 1999-2000 and returned at the end of training camp.
Palffy's condition often frustrated coach Andy Murray, who publicly urged his best player to work harder. Monday, Murray said he learned about the severity of the injury.
"You always want your top player to be your top player," Murray said. "But now I have different information that I had 10 days ago. Ziggy has been hurting all season."
The Kings, who have dropped three in a row entering tonight's game with the improved Chicago Blackhawks, have recalled rookie winger Jaroslav Bednar from Manchester (N.H.) to replace Palffy on the roster.
Bednar, 24, did not score in eight games with the club to start the season. He also did not record a point at Manchester, but the Kings remain confident in his ability.
"This will be a great time to show us what he can do," said Murray, who will play Bednar alongside newcomer Jason Allison on the first line.
A great time because the Kings (3-6-1-2) are reeling. They close out their six-game, 12-day trip tonight without several top players. Defenseman Aaron Miller is at least a week away from returning. He is back in Los Angeles and team doctors are checking to see how he responds to anti-inflammatory medication.
Adam Deadmarsh left Sunday's 3-2 overtime loss to Carolina with a bruised rib cage and is questionable for tonight's game.
Allison will be playing alongside Bednar and perhaps Steve Heinze if Deadmarsh can't play.
"Well, it's not like I was playing with a guy I knew anyway," Allison said with a laugh. He has one point in three games since joining the team.
The Kings also learned Monday that goaltender Stephane Fiset has suffered another injury to his left knee, the third in 13 months, while playing for Manchester. He was flown back to Los Angeles for further tests.
Much improved: No one could figure out why defenseman Jon Klemm would leave the Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche for the lowly Chicago Blackhawks even if he did get a three-year deal worth $7.5 million.
Murray, who watched the 'Hawks play Sunday night, said Klemm, who is a plus-12 so far, is one of the biggest reasons for the turnaround from a nonplayoff team to a club that already has 15 points.
Last week, Klemm faced the Avs in Chicago and scored the game-winning goal in a 5-3 victory. After the game, the Avs presented him with his Stanley Cup ring.
"I was a little nervous at first," Klemm said. "Coming to the rink and having my buddies across the way, I didn't know what to expect. But as soon as the puck was dropped, I settled down.
"(The goal) was icing on the cake. Getting the game-winning goal against your former team is a storybook ending."
KINGS vs. CHICAGO
Time: 5:30 p.m., at United Center. TV/Radio: No TV; 1110-AM (delayed until after the World Series). Matchups: For the fourth consecutive game, the Kings will not be televised. And since the Blackhawks do not put home games on TV, it won't be found on a satellite dish. Because of a commitment to the World Series, the game will not be broadcast live on the Kings' flagship station KSPN-AM (1110). It will be broadcast in its entirety after Game 3. The Kings are urging their fans to listen to the game live via the Internet, either on lakings.com or nhl.com. The Blackhawks are much improved under new coach Brian Sutter. They are 6-3-0-0, second behind Detroit in the Central Division. They also are 4-0 at home. Chicago already has five players in double figures in scoring, led by Eric Daze's eight goals and 13 points.