Defenseman Doughty Cleared To Return For LA Kings

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Defenseman Drew Doughty has been cleared to return to the Los Angeles Kings' lineup after missing six games with an apparent concussion.

A Kings spokesman says Doughty will be activated from injured reserve by Thursday, and will be in the lineup for Los Angeles' home game against Tampa Bay that night.

The 20-year-old Norris Trophy finalist was hurt on a hit by Carolina's Erik Cole on Oct. 20. He missed the Kings' five-game road trip and last Saturday's home win over New Jersey.

The Kings moved into the overall NHL lead despite missing their star defenseman by winning eight of their first 11 games.

Doughty had just one assist in his first five games of the season. He scored 57 points last year in just his second NHL season.

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