Smolinski Really Clicking

Bryan Smolinski emerged from Coach Andy Murray’s doghouse with a three-goal, five-assist four-game span that earned him NHL player-of-the-week recognition.

Smolinski was dropped from the second to the fourth line during the exhibition season, then was brought back to the second before the season opened at Nashville. He, Donald Audette and Glen Murray struggled early, then began to click in the season’s sixth game, at Calgary.

TONIGHT

at Pittsburgh, 5 PST

ESPN

* Site--Civic Center.

* Radio--KRLA (1110).

* Records--Kings 8-3-2, Penguins 2-4-3.

* Record vs. Penguins--1-0.

* Update--The Penguins’ Jaromir Jagr has eight goals and 10 assists in nine games. Pittsburgh goalie Tom Barrasso has been out since Oct. 7 because of a bruised knee but skated Monday. Still, the Penguins are expected to play Peter Skudra, who gave up four goals in 13 shots to the Kings. Penguin centers Martin Straka (knee) and Jan Hrdina (ankle), and winger Aleksey Morozov (charley horse) are not expected to play.

* Tickets--(888) 546-4752 or (213) 365-3600