Murray Still Enjoys the Job Despite Injuries

PITTSBURGH —  An injury-marred season is usually a coach’s nightmare, but the Kings’ Andy Murray said he has enjoyed himself this season.

“It’s been fun because when your team is playing well coaching is maybe not as significant,” he said. “But right now we have to dig in and keep pushing our guys hard every day and keep challenging them.

“When you have the things that have happened to us this year, it affects your belief system as a team. What you have to do is keep reinforcing that belief system that we’ll find a way to win and go into every game thinking you can win.”

*

Ian Laperriere left Tuesday night’s game in the second period after suffering a bruised right forearm blocking a shot....

Jason Allison, sidelined since Jan. 25 because of a neck strain, resumed skating Sunday in El Segundo, but it’s uncertain when he’ll return to the lineup. Asked if his top center would be available for Saturday’s game against the Atlanta Thrashers, Murray said, “We’ll have to see how he is, but I’m not anticipating he’ll be able to play.” ... Tests on Brad Chartrand’s strained back revealed no structural damage. He is listed as week to week....

The Kings, who have had only 21 players available for their last two games, considered recalling Jared Aulin before the center suffered a knee injury Sunday while playing for the club’s American Hockey League team at Manchester, N.H. He’ll be sidelined for four to six weeks.

*

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

KING LEADERS

*--* Player G A PTS +/- Zigmund Palffy 28 38 66 13 Mathieu Schneider 13 29 42 2 Bryan Smolinski 16 19 35 -3 Jaroslav Modry 10 21 31 -14 Derek Armstrong 10 18 28 0 Jason Allison 6 22 28 9 Eric Belanger 11 16 27 0 Alexander Frolov 10 14 24 5 Adam Deadmarsh 13 4 17 2 Erik Rasmussen 4 12 16 2

*--*