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Kings feel domino effect as Penner leaves practice

Phoenix Coyotes v Los Angeles Kings

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 03: Dustin Penner #25 of the Los Angeles Kings skates during warm up prior to the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Staples Center on March 3, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Kings defeated the Coyotes 1-0. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

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The story heading into Saturday’s Kings-Flyers game in Philadelphia was ex-Flyer Mike Richards returning to his old stomping ground.

The story two days later? How costly the game was for L.A.

Dan Arritt of ESPN Los Angeles is reporting that Dustin Penner, who threw down with Philly’s Zac Rinaldo in response to a hit on Drew Doughty, left the ice during practice on Monday because of a knee injury sustained in the fight.

So, the domino effect:

-- Just 1:34 in, Rinaldo knocks Doughty out of the game.

-- Penner fights Rinaldo, hurts knee, gets 17 minutes in penalties, Philly scores on ensuing PP.

-- Doughty gets put on IR the next day (Sunday).

-- Penner leaves practice on Monday to get knee examined.

Here’s the hit that caused all the ruckus, in case you missed it:

In the span of 48 hours, the Kings lost their $56 million blueliner and might’ve lost one of their biggest forwards. At the moment reports suggest it’s just a knee contusion and nothing more, but knowing Penner...let’s just say it’s worth monitoring. He fell completely out of Murray’s favor last season and missed this year’s season opener with a lower body injury. It’s not like Penner has solidified himself in L.A.'s top-six, either -- so you’ve really got to wonder how this will play out, especially with Penner in a contract year.