Smolinski Is Frustrated by Slump-Ridden Line

Bryan Smolinski is blunt about the slump that has limited him to one goal in the last 11 games and weakened his line defensively.

“Glen [Murray] and I are fighting the game a lot. We’re fighting really hard,” said Smolinski, who centers the second line with Murray and Donald Audette. “A lot of guys go through it for four- or five-game stretches. It’s terrible that it comes at this time because they need our line, and we know that. Stumpy’s [Jozef Stumpel’s] line is doing great. When he was hurt, we stepped it up, and we’re trying to get back to that form.

“It’s frustrating. We’re not a skillful line. We work down low and we work for our opportunities. We’ve got to find some other ways to be effective. Defensively, we’re making mistakes. . . . We’re not known for doing that.”

King Coach Andy Murray met with Smolinski on Wednesday after a team meeting at the HealthSouth Training Center. To revive Smolinski and the line, Murray said he may use Blake or Marko Tuomainen tonight in place of Audette, who has one goal in eight games since returning from a sprained ankle.

“We need more out of somebody that gets the amount of ice time he gets,” Murray said of Smolinski, who played 18:31 Tuesday--near his normal amount. “And it’s not just production. Their unit is spending too much time in our own end. . . . We’re concerned with the dynamics of that line.”

*

Goalie Stephane Fiset, who has stopped 77 of 82 shots in his last three games, will start for the fifth time in six games.

TONIGHT

vs. Carolina, 7:30

Fox Sports Net

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KRLA (1110).

* Records--Kings 30-25-8-3, Carolina 26-29-9-0.

* Record vs. Hurricanes (1998-99)--1-1.

* Update--This is the third stop on a four-game trip for the Hurricanes, who are scrambling for an East playoff spot.