KINGS NOTEBOOK: ALLISON SCORES, RESUMES REHAB.

Byline: Matt McHale Staff Writer

DALLAS - Jason Allison scored his first goal in five games since returning from a severe knee injury, but he remains a regular customer in the Kings' trainers room.

Allison made it back five weeks ahead of schedule after tearing the medial collateral ligament and stretching the anterior cruciate in his right knee.

Though he said he is still working his way into shape, the Kings are delighted with his recovery. But he still spends an hour after each game icing, stretching and getting message for the knee.

``The first 85 percent comes pretty easy,'' trainer Peter Demers said. ``Jason was 90 percent on the strength tests when he returned. He is looking great, but the rehab doesn't end when they go back on the ice.''

Allison scored at 2:23 of the second period in Wednesday's 3-0 victory over Dallas. He was streaking down the right side, parked in front, took a pass from Adam Deadmarsh and scored.

--Armstrong out: Fourth-line center Derek Armstrong was scratched Wednesday after suffering a groin injury. Armstrong, who has waited 10 seasons to play regularly, finally has found a home with the Kings. He isn't about to give it back because of a tender right groin.

``It's really not too bad,'' said Armstrong, who was first injured Thursday against Nashville. ``It's not going to keep me out.''

Murray, however, isn't so sure.

``I think it is going to be a while.,'' he said. ``It's too bad because he has really been solid for us. He really has been one of our best players.''

Armstrong came to the Kings from the New York Rangers last summer after playing a year in Switzerland. He was dominant in three seasons with the Rangers' top farm club and was named American Hockey League MVP two years ago. He fled to Europe hoping the Rangers would trade him and he finally got his wish.

--Quick whistles: With Armstrong's injury, rugged Brad Norton started on the fourth line. Murray considered Brad Chartrand and Steve Heinze, healthy scratches Tuesday in Nashville, ``but against Dallas we decided we wanted to have more of a physical presence.''

Murray and Heinze spoke Wednesday about the benchings. Heinze has played most of the season in the minors despite his $2 million salary. ``He's playing hard, but there are other players we see ahead of him,'' Murray said. ``You don't make many changes when you are winning. We didn't play well at home and decided changes were needed. But Steve is working hard. He told me, `I really need to score a goal.' '' Including four games this season, Heinze does not have a goal in 31 games dating back to Jan. 15.