Smolinski Braced for Quick Return

Bryan Smolinski has gone from being down on the ice in Phoenix, certain that he would be watching the Kings’ playoff run on television because of a torn knee ligament, to thinking that maybe he could find a way to get back on the ice for the second round, to feeling pretty good.

Tonight, barring problems in the morning skate at Joe Louis Arena, he completes the trip to the lineup when the Kings open their first-round playoff series against Detroit.

It has been a dizzying 10 days.

“It’s been puzzling,” Smolinski admitted Wednesday.

He will wear a knee brace that he is still trying to get comfortable with, but he will not be eased into the lineup.

“I’ve told him like I’ve told everyone else,” said Coach Andy Murray, who has been soft-pedaling the idea of Smolinski’s return all week. “If he plays, he has to play well.”

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It’s clear that Detroit is expected to win the series.

“I think the only people who don’t think so are the people in this room,” King center Bob Corkum said.

He’s in a different situation than in years past, when he was with a Phoenix team that was constantly branded an underachiever because it couldn’t get out of the first round.

“We’re not supposed to win,” Smolinski said. “They’ve got more points. On paper they have a great team, but it comes down to seven games. It’s all about how you play.”

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King coaches are mulling using defenseman Jaroslav Modry instead of Aki Berg and pairing him with Rob Blake.