MILLER IS FACING SURGERY.

Byline: RICH HAMMOND Staff Writer

Kings defenseman Aaron Miller, who has missed a large portion of this season with a sore back, said he is unlikely to play in the Kings' final three regular-season games and might require offseason surgery.

"Whatever it takes to fix it," Miller said Tuesday. "Life isn't too fun right now, at the rink or away from the rink, when you're in pain all the time."

Miller has missed the past seven games, and 23games total this season, with the back problem. He rejoined the lineup in late January, after a month-long absence, but by late March the pain was too much.

--Still alive: Edmonton's 2-0 regulation loss to Detroit on Tuesday leaves the Kings with a small hope of making the playoffs. For that to happen, the Kings must win their last three regular-season games, Edmonton must lose its final two and Vancouver must lose at least two of its last three.