There were a couple of key injury updates on the ice on Sunday (March 29) for the Los Angeles Kings and new interim head coach DJ Smith this past weekend, and before the team has the day off early this upcoming week on Monday.

Center Sammy Helenius listed with a status of “day-to-day” for the Los Angeles Kings after practice on Sunday last weekend

Two key Kings’ players in the active roster lineup offenisvely, including center Sammy Helenius and forward Adrian Kempe were held out of practice on Sunday for the team.

It sounds like Helenius wasn’t able to practice or participate in team drills this past weekend with the team on Sunday.

Zach Dooley of LA Kings Insider reported on March 29 that Helenius was “dinged up” in a recent game for the Kings and Smith this past week on the ice vs. the Utah Mammoth at home on Saturday (March 28).

There reportedly aren’t “any guarantees” that Helenius will be in the active roster lineup for Smith and the Kings’ coaching staff this upcoming week in the homestand starting on Wednesday (April 1) vs. the St. Louis Blues in the West in a couple of days.

It’s also noteworthy that Kempe didn’t practice with the Kings’ team on Sunday this past weekend. I should note that this isn’t out of the ordinary for Kempe, who hasn’t practiced much or participated with the Kings team in team drills on the ice this past couple of weeks since he suffered an injury that he’s been dealing with this month in mid-to-late March.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see forwards Alex Turcotte and/or Taylor Ward in the active roster lineup offenisvely this regular season in the West for the Kings this upcoming week on Wednesday on home ice at Crypto.com Arena down the stretch.

Kempe’s spot on the top line forward group in the roster lineup in practice for the Kings and Smith this past few days on the ice in team drills has been filled by winger Jeff Malott for the team on Sunday last weekend.

The Kings have the day off for practice on Monday early this upcoming week, and they will return to the ice on Tuesday (March 31) for team drills in 24 hours.