Deadmarsh, Like Palffy, Is Sidelined by Sore Back

CHICAGO â€”  Adam Deadmarsh, whose hard-nosed, all-out style of play seems to leave him susceptible to injuries, sat out Tuesday night’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks because of a sore back, joining Ziggy Palffy, Aaron Miller and expectant father Mathieu Schneider on the sidelines.

“It’s just one of those things that hopefully will be better here in the next couple of days and I’ll be able to protect myself a little bit better,� said Deadmarsh, who suffered the injury Sunday in the first period of the Kings’ 3-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. “It’s real tight. I’m having trouble shooting the puck. Skating’s not too bad, but everything else is pretty vulnerable.�

Deadmarsh has been sidelined 62 games over the last five-plus seasons because of a variety of physical problems, among them a concussion, flu, swollen eye, infected elbow and hip, hand, shoulder, knee, thigh, back and rib injuries.

“It’s frustrating,� said Deadmarsh, who sat out the opener this season because of a groin injury, but has since scored 10 points in 11 games. “I always seem to have injuries throughout the year. I do everything I can off the ice to prevent them, but some things are just unpreventable and happen.�

Coach Andy Murray said it’s no mystery why they happen to Deadmarsh.

“He plays hard, he’s in the traffic areas all the time,� Murray said. “He doesn’t know how to play the game any other way, and he can’t be effective playing it any other way, so you have to accept, with the way he plays, that those things are possible.�

Defenseman Jason Holland made his King debut, filling in for Schneider, who was home in Los Angeles with his expectant wife.

“I’m excited to see him play,� Murray said before the game. “It’s a great opportunity for him. If you want to be an NHL player, here’s your chance.�

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Schneider is the first King to sit out this season to be home for the delivery of a baby, but he might not be the last.

The wives of Ian Laperriere, Jamie Storr, Mikko Eloranta, Jason Allison and assistant general manager Kevin Gilmore are expecting. And Lori Heinze, wife of winger Steve, delivered a baby boy Oct. 16.

“It seems like it’s one after the other,� said Murray, a father of three.