Kings’ Zuccarello out against Rangers with upper-body injury

Laviolette didn’t go into detail about what is ailing Zuccarello. The 39-year-old appeared in each of the past three games, logging 13:20 of ice time in a 3-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night.

This will be the fourth game the veteran winger has already missed this season. Due to an undisclosed injury earlier this month, Zuccarello was absent for two weeks, missing three games after being placed on injured reserve. Los Angeles’ early-season struggles continued without him in the lineup, losing three straight games before picking up a victory last Tuesday against the Washington Capitals in the Norwegian’s return.

Even when Zuccarello has been on the ice, he hasn’t been nearly as effective as many would’ve hoped. He signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Kings this past summer, moving to Hollywood after a few injury-plagued seasons with the Minnesota Wild. Yet, L.A. was expecting him to bring some experience and offense to a team that needs scoring, especially since Zuccarello has reached 50 points in each of the past five seasons. Yet, through six games with his new team, Zuccarello has just one assist, going pointless in his last four appearances. He has a plus/minus of +1 while averaging 16:23 of ice time.

The Kings (2-5-2) are seventh in the Pacific Division, despite winning back-to-back games last week. Puck drop against the Rangers is set for a little after 7 p.m. ET.