Mike Richards Injury: Updates on Kings Forward's Status

Los Angeles Kings center Mike Richards was forced to miss Game 2 of the 2013 Western Conference Finals against the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night due to what the team is calling an upper-body injury.

UPDATE: Saturday, June 8, at 8:15 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford

The Kings announced that Richards is scheduled to be in the lineup for Game 5 on Saturday:

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UPDATE: Thursday, June 6, 1:40 p.m. ET by Sam Westmoreland

Richards isn't skating today, and will be out again tonight, according to a report from ESPN's Pierre LeBrun. 

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UPDATE: Wednesday, June 5, at 4 p.m. ET by Kyle Vassalo

The LA Times' Helene Elliott says Richards skated for 15-20 minutes:

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UPDATE: Tuesday, June 4, at 1:42 p.m. ET by Kyle Vassalo

According to John Hoven of MayorsManor, Mike Richards is out for tonight's game:

Head coach Darryl Sutter spoke to the media about the decision to shut Richards down for a must-win Game 3 (quotes per John Hoven of MayorsManor and John Lu of TSN).

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UPDATE: Tuesday, June 4, at 12:44 p.m. ET by Kyle Vassalo

According to TSN's John Lu, Mike Richards did not take part in the morning skate:

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The Chicago Sun-Times' Adam Jahns had the news:

Richards' scratch from Sunday's contest was a bit shocking if you heard the words of head coach Darryl Sutter, who said prior to the game that Richards was "fine," per Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Still, considering the nature of the injury, this isn't all that surprising. Richards got hurt in Game 1 when Dave Bolland nailed him with a massive (and somewhat controversial) hit during Chicago's 2-1 win, and this situation now has the potential to serve as a major blow for the Kings.

During the regular season, Richards tallied 32 points (12 goals, 20 assists) in 48 games, and in the postseason, he has been even better.   

In L.A.'s series win over the St. Louis Blues, the 28-year-old had five assists in six games. Against the San Jose Sharks, he added two goals and three more assists in seven games. 

Despite the disappointing Game 1, he has a team-leading 10 points in 14 games. Not only that, but he has also proven to be one of Los Angeles' most valuable players, compiling a plus/minus of plus-four. 

In Richards' stead, the Kings will need players such as Jeff Carter, Anze Kopitar and Dwight King to step up, while they hope their veteran only misses one contest.

Already down a game in this pivotal series, the Kings cannot afford to play many more against the league's best team sans their most productive player.