Smolinski-Murray-Robitaille Line Is Still Underachieving

The expectations are greater because of Jozef Stumpel’s absence, and the line of Bryan Smolinski, Glen Murray and Luc Robitaille has yet to meet those expectations during training camp.

“I’m concerned because you don’t just flip the switch and turn it on [for the regular season],” Coach Andy Murray said Wednesday.

He didn’t single out the Smolinski line, but he acknowledged when asked specifically about it, “We just need them to be better. I’m not ripping them. We need them to be better, as a matter of fact.”

The message has been conveyed to the three, who have collectively accounted for only one goal and two assists in five exhibition games, two of which Robitaille did not play.

In Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Phoenix, Glen Murray and Robitaille had three shots each, Smolinski only one, though the coach raved about his work ethic.

“We saw some great things from Bryan Smolinski last night,” Andy Murray said. “He won a faceoff on a five-on-three [Phoenix power play] in our zone and later threw himself in front of a puck to block a shot.”

With Stumpel holding out and Ziggy Palffy injured, the spotlight has been on the Smolinski-Murray-Robitaille line.

“Our line is going to have to pick it up if we’re going to be successful,” Robitaille said. “We’re getting chances, and when you get chances the puck is going to go in.”

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Palffy has a broken bone at the tip of his right ring finger, suffered when he was slashed in a game against San Jose at Bakersfield Saturday.

He will not play this weekend, but is expected to be ready for the season opener in Washington on Oct. 6.

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Stumpel has been playing with Bratislava in his native Slovakia, but in only about half its games. And, most important, a source close to negotiations between him and the Kings said Stumpel has told the Slovakian team he does not plan to play after Oct. 3, the day before the NHL season opens.

If he plays in Europe after that date, he would be effectively lost to the Kings this season, because he would require waivers to re-enter the NHL.