Kings' Kovalchuk out 4 weeks following ankle surgery

Los Angeles Kings forward Ilya Kovalchuk will be sidelined for the next four weeks after undergoing an ankle procedure, the team announced Sunday.

Kovalchuk is in his first season with the Kings after inking a three-year, $18.75-million pact in the summer.

The Russian star sits third in team scoring - 14 points in 25 games - after a strong start to the season during which he picked up four goals and seven assists in 13 games.

However, Kovalchuk has seen his ice time reduced and has been benched multiple times since Willie Desjardins replaced John Stevens behind the bench.