KINGS NOTEBOOK: KINGS GO IN SHORT-HANDED.

Byline: Rich Hammond  Staff Writer

DENVER - If facing playoff elimination against the best goaltender in the world doesn't provide enough adversity, the Kings also might be without two of their top forwards.

Coach Andy Murray revealed Wednesday that Cliff Ronning has concussion-like symptoms and did not make the trip for today's Game 5 against Patrick Roy and Colorado, and Adam Deadmarsh might not be available as a result of a neck strain suffered in Tuesday's Game 4.

Ronning took a hard hit from Colorado defenseman Rob Blake in Game 1 and his play suffered in Game 2. Murray scratched Ronning before Game 3 but didn't specify the ailment until Wednesday morning.

``There are symptoms right now that they're not sure of,'' Murray said. ``He came in (Tuesday) morning and said he could play, but we got talking and I could tell he just wasn't 100 percent. So we sent him to the doctor and the doctor felt it was best that he doesn't play.''

Ronning, acquired last month from Nashville, struggled offensively late in the regular season but gave the Kings a spark in Game 1. Deadmarsh has played well throughout the series but left Game 4 in the first two minutes of the third period in Game 4 after slamming head first into the boards.

``There's no structural damage, it's just a strain,'' Murray said. ``I'm sure if he can play, he will be in there.''

If Deadmarsh is unable to play, his spot in the lineup probably will be taken by Jaroslav Bednar, a talented but inconsistent rookie who played the first two games of the series.

--Faraway, so close: The biggest disappointment for the Kings in Game 4 might have been that Steve Heinze was unable to score despite several good chances around the Colorado goal, including one in the final few seconds when he hit the side of the net with Roy out of position.

Heinze, who had been a healthy scratch in the first three games of the series, played more than 12 minutes in Game 4 and totaled two shots on goal and three hits.

``I just would have loved to see him score, to get a reward,'' Murray said. ``What a great feeling it would have been for him, with eight seconds left, to grab that puck and put it in the empty net. I don't think he knew he had that much time, or he could have taken a little more time. You want guys like that to succeed.

``I thought he worked and competed, and for whatever reason, somebody has decided he's not going to score until (tonight).''

KINGS vs. COLORADO

Faceoff: 7 p.m., Pepsi Center.

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net 2; 1110-AM.

Matchup: If Adam Deadmarsh, who suffered a neck strain in Game 4, is unable to play tonight, the Kings will be without their two most prolific playoff scorers. Deadmarsh has 23 goals and 38 assists in 92 career playoff games, and Cliff Ronning, who is certain to miss tonight's game because of symptoms of concussion, has 27 goals and 50 assists in 104 career playoff games. Tonight's game has been moved to Fox Sports Net 2 to accommodate the Lakers' playoff game.

- Rich Hammond

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

CLIFF RONNING

The Kings forward did not make the trip to Denver because he has symptoms of a concussion.

Box:

(1) KINGS vs. COLORADO (see text)

(2) KINGS vs. COLORADO: Colorado leads best-of-seven series 3-1