KINGS REPORT : Barrie Makes an Impression

A year ago, Len Barrie looked to be playing out the string in Frankfurt, Germany, leading the league in scoring for a team that was in first place. He was almost 30, and it was time to look at the rest of his life.

And then he was suspended for eight games for high-sticking an opponent.

“Every day, I spent checking the NHL scores and I really had that burning desire to return,” said Barrie, who finds himself with the Kings after playing for Philadelphia, Florida and Pittsburgh, plus several minor league teams and Frankfurt.

“I said, ‘You know what? I’m going to get in shape and give it one more try.’ ”

He called the Kings, came to camp sharing fourth-line time with Jason Blake and began to impress coaches. The impression has found him elevated to the second line, which he centered Wednesday night in a 3-2 overtime loss to San Jose at Oakland.

Barrie is flanked by wingers Donald Audette and Glen Murray while Bryan Smolinski, who started camp at the spot, tries to work his way back.

The move is designed to light a spark under Smolinski, who came to the Kings in the Ziggy Palffy trade and who, Coach Andy Murray said, eventually will be the measure of the success of that deal. The Kings assume a 40-goal season from Palffy, but they want Smolinski to get back to where he was as a rookie with the Boston Bruins, when he scored 31 goals in 1993-94.

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When winger Vladimir Tsyplakov scored on a first-period power play Wednesday night, it gave the Kings six power-play goals in as many games. They have yet to give up a power-play goal.