Olympic Snub Disappoints Smolinski

Bryan Smolinski, whose third-period goal Thursday night gave the Kings a 2-2 tie with the Mighty Ducks, is still smarting about his exclusion from the U.S. Olympic hockey team.

“I’m pretty disappointed,” he said Friday. “I gave it my best shot. The guys that they picked are good players, so I’ve got nothing to be ashamed of.”

When three forwards were among the final six additions made to the 23-man U.S. roster last Saturday, Smolinski, 30, was among those bypassed in favor of Adam Deadmarsh of the Kings, Brian Rolston of the Boston Bruins and Mike York of the New York Rangers.

Statistically, all three are having better seasons than Smolinski, who has nine goals and 10 assists in 37 games, but Smolinski’s value to the Kings goes beyond the numbers. A versatile two-way player, he has alternated between center and wing and is used on both the power-play and penalty-killing units.

“It was tough at first,” Smolinski said. “It was disappointing that I had to hear from teammates that I didn’t make the team. That was the biggest disappointment, walking around not knowing what’s going on and they did.”

Ziggy Palffy, sidelined since Dec. 1 because of a broken rib, will “definitely” play Wednesday night against the Florida Panthers, Coach Andy Murray said.... Jason Allison, whose career-high nine-game point-scoring streak ended Thursday night, “probably shouldn’t have played,” Murray said, because he had flu.

TONIGHT

vs. New York Rangers, 7:30

Fox Sports Net

Site--Staples Center.

Radio--KSPN (1110).

Records--Kings 14-15-7-2,Rangers 21-14-3-2.

Record vs. Rangers (2000-01)--0-1-1.

Update--Although he has never faced them as a member of the Kings, goaltender Felix Potvin is 1-6 against the Rangers with a 3.62 goals-against average.

Tickets--(888) 546-4752.