Team Suffers Without Khristich

In losing to the Dallas Stars, 2-1, in overtime Sunday night, the Kings could have used their top scorer in forward Dimitri Khristich, who did not make the two-game road trip because of an eye injury.

Khristich, who leads the team with 41 points, was injured in Friday’s practice when he was hit in the face by the stick of teammate Barry Potomski following an altercation between the two. For his role, Potomski was sent down to Phoenix, the Kings’ minor league affiliate, for disciplinary reasons.

“No way did [Potomski] meant to hurt him,� team captain Rob Blake said. “There are always fights on a team with the players. The incident was handled by management and as a team we hope to have both of them back in the lineup soon.�

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Blake, who received a two-game suspension for a high cross-check against San Jose last week, agreed with the suspension but questioned how the NHL decided on the punishment for teammate Matt Johnson, who received a four-game suspension for his part in the second period brawl.

“For Matty to get four games, I don’t think [NHL Director of Hockey Operations] Brian Burke reviewed all of the things that led up to the play,� said Blake, Johnson’s roommate.

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With Yanic Perreault, Kai Nurminen, Aki Berg and Khristich sidelined because of injuries and Blake and Johnson out because of suspensions, the Kings called up forwards Paul Di Pietro and Jeff Shevalier from Phoenix.