The Los Angeles Kings absorbed their first big dose of adversity this season, learning yesterday they will be without first-line left winger Ryan Smyth for up to a month.

Smyth, off to a sensational start this season, sustained an unspecified upper-body injury in the game Monday night at Florida.

"It'll be a test for us, no doubt," Kings coach Terry Murray said. "He's been an important player for us since the beginning. And with the way that line was playing with great chemistry and great things happening, it'll be a challenge for sure."

The Canadian Olympic hopeful, 33, has nine goals, 14 assists in 22 games in his first year with the Kings while playing on the top line with NHL leading scorer Anze Kopitar and right winger Justin Williams. Alexander Frolov will replace Smyth on the top line.

Washington expects left winger Quintin Laing to miss up to six weeks with a broken jaw, while left winger Alexander Semin remains troubled by a right wrist injury. Laing was hurt in the Capitals' win against the New York Rangers Tuesday. He had metal plates inserted into his jaw during surgery yesterday. Semin missed the game against the Rangers and wore a brace on his wrist yesterday, but an MRI revealed no serious damage.

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