Bad News for Allison, Deadmarsh

It wasn’t a big surprise, more of a confirmation of the steadily unfolding worst-case scenario for injured forwards Jason Allison and Adam Deadmarsh.

The Kings have remained in playoff contention despite a roster rife with inexperience and injuries, which Coach Andy Murray addressed Friday morning in his most somber tones yet, calling the return of Allison and Deadmarsh this season “very doubtful.”

Allison has been sidelined almost a year because of whiplash; Deadmarsh has been out since December 2002 because of post-concussion syndrome. The duo combined for 136 points two seasons ago.

“I think the feeling is that it’s very doubtful we’ll see Deadmarsh and Allison play this year,” Murray said. “I can’t say much more about it than that. They’re not skating and we’re almost into the month of February.”

Allison and Deadmarsh aren’t the only key Kings sidelined. Forward Martin Straka had surgery Thursday to remove cartilage from both knees and defenseman Aaron Miller has been out since Dec. 10 because of a pinched nerve in his neck.

“Marty Straka, if he does return, will probably be the end of March, early April,” Murray said. “And Aaron Miller is still doubtful at this particular time. It looks like it’s taking longer than what we thought.”

*

Rookie winger Dustin Brown was cleared to play and could return tonight against the Mighty Ducks after sitting out nearly two months because of a sprained ankle.... Defenseman Tim Gleason was sent down to Manchester (N.H.).

*

The Ducks’ Steve Rucchin did not score in Friday’s 6-2 victory over Minnesota, extending his scoreless streak to nine games. Rucchin, who has 10 goals and 20 points this season but only one goal and seven points in his last 28 games, had surgery on his right knee last summer and missed the start of training camp.... After sitting out Wednesday’s game against his former team, the Detroit Red Wings, because of flu, Sergei Fedorov played Friday and had three assists, on Petr Sykora’s power-play goal in the second period and goals by Rob Niedermayer and Vaclav Prospal in the third.... Former Duck Marc Chouinard, who had been on Minnesota’s injured reserve list since he suffered a fractured jaw against Edmonton on Nov. 13, rejoined the Wild lineup.

*

TONIGHT

Mighty Ducks at Kings, 7:30, FSN

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KSPN (710), XPRS (1090).

Records -- Kings 18-15-10-5, Mighty Ducks 15-21-8-5.

Series record -- 0-0-1-0.

Update -- The Kings were error-prone in a 5-4 loss Thursday to the Detroit Red Wings, serving up several turnovers that led to easy goals. The Kings, however, were able to end an 0-for-21 slump on the power play and finished with two power-play goals against one of the league’s top penalty-killing units.