It’s Not Just Another Game

Don’t bother asking King center Bryan Smolinski if playing against the New York Islanders tonight is special to him.

Smolinski has played in a lot of games against former teams, having been employed by the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins before going to the Islanders, who sent him to the Kings in June, along with Ziggy Palffy.

“Ask me tomorrow night,” he said Sunday, laughing.

It’s cool to say it’s just another game, and Palffy tried it. “They’re all big for us right now,” he said, then admitted, “It’s always important for you to play well against the team that traded you.”

Smolinski was never critical of Long Island or his teammates, but he has had no kind words for Islander management since being traded. Palffy is more quiet about it, and, as he looked over the Islander roster, said, “I only played with three or four of those guys.”

Sure, but if there is a letdown for the rest of the Kings from a 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs that finished a three-game, two-point trip Saturday, there won’t be for Smolinski and Palffy.

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Palffy has three goals in his last 11 games and is on a pace to score only 32, which would be his lowest output for a full season since he came to the NHL in 1995.

Part of the reason is the back ailment that continues to bother him. Another is that he’s playing for the Kings.

“Here, I play both ends of the ice,” he said, acknowledging that he has defensive responsibilities. Palffy is plus-four on the plus/minus scale.

“With the Islanders, I just had to play in the offensive end,” he said. “They had nothing to lose.”

The Kings have plenty to lose. In a playoff race, every game is important, and they have played 14 one-goal games, 17 if you discount empty-net goals.

“Our games have been tighter, and in a tight game, you have to compete harder,” Coach Andy Murray said. “All [of the remaining 33 games] are going to be like that.”

TONIGHT

vs. N.Y. Islanders, 7:30

Fox Sports Net

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KRLA (1110).

* Records--Kings 21-21-7-3, Islanders 13-30-6-1.

* Record vs. Islanders (1998-99)--0-2.

* Update--New York is enjoying its trip out West, with an overtime victory over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday and a victory over the Mighty Ducks on Thursday. The Islanders beat San Jose on a power-play goal by defenseman Mathieu Biron, one of three prospects sent East by the Kings in the Palffy-Smolinski deal.

* Tickets--(888) 546-4752.