KINGS NOTEBOOK: SHOULDER INJURY TO SIDELINE BLAKE.

Byline: Matt McHale Staff Writer

EL SEGUNDO - The Kings will get a sample of life after Rob Blake tonight when they face the Carolina Hurricanes without their All-Star defenseman.

Blake, the subject of widespread trade speculation, injured his right shoulder in the final minute of Tuesday night's 3-3 tie against the Chicago Blackhawks at Staples Center.

Blake underwent an MRI on Wednesday morning, confirming he suffered a bruise but no structural damage during a collision with the boards caused by Chicago's Michael Nylander.

``It is very unlikely he will play,'' Kings coach Andy Murray said. ``It could have been worse.''

Murray arrived at work Wednesday far less angry than he was after Tuesday night's tie, when the Kings blew leads of 2-0 and 3-1. He blistered the Kings for the lack of team play after the game but was calmer when reaffirming the point during a 20-minute meeting before practice.

``I often go a little too hard on the guys after a loss,'' Murray said. ``In the morning, I usually am more optimistic. But when the season is over, the record book will not say, 'The Kings had 82 points but did not make the playoffs because of the Rob Blake situation.' We have to be better.''

Blake remains Kings' property. The club has not granted permission for other clubs to discuss a contract extension for Blake, who can become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

Toronto, one of the teams most interested, said Tuesday it will not make a deal unless it can sign Blake to a long-term contract.

--Quick whistles: Kings general manager Dave Taylor was in Calgary on Wednesday scouting an amateur tournament. He has a European scouting trip planned for later in the week. . . . With Blake out, defenseman Jere Karalahti will play after missing eight games as a healthy scratch. . . . Center Eric Belanger missed Wednesday's practice with back spasms, but is expected to play tonight.

KINGS vs. CAROLINA

Time: 7:30 p.m., Staples Center.

TV/Radio: No TV; 1110-AM.

Matchup: Back on Jan. 20, when they ended the Hurricanes' unbeaten streak at nine games with a 6-3 victory, the Kings were rolling. It was their fifth victory in six games and they were eighth in the conference. Since then, the Kings are 1-4-1. The Hurricanes will be playing the second of back-to-back games after facing Phoenix on Wednesday. They will be looking for a turnaround from defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh, who is a minus-18 after signing a huge free-agent contract last summer. During the nine games he missed with a knee injury, the Canes were undefeated. Goaltender Arturs Irbe started his 39th consecutive game Wednesday night in Phoenix. Irbe has played in back-to-back situations five times during that stretch. . . . . Kings Luc Robitaille has five goals in his last three games and 26 for the season. He is tied with teammate Ziggy Palffy for fourth in the league in scoring with 60 points.

- Matt McHale

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Box: KINGS vs. CAROLINA (see text)