Smolinski Avoids Seat on Bench

It hasn’t taken long for Coach Andy Murray to get his word across to players he thought were struggling to get their game back after the Olympic break.

Last week, Murray benched Steve Heinze for a game because he thought the right wing was pressing too much.

Murray was ready to do the same to Bryan Smolinski but before benching the veteran center, Murray decided to have a talk with him first.

“I would say that his game hasn’t been that bad but it hasn’t been good enough for a guy who needs to be an impact player for us,” said Murray, who had a one-on-one discussion with Smolinski on Sunday.

Smolinski, who hasn’t scored a goal since Jan. 17, opened Monday’s game against Chicago skating on a line with Ziggy Palffy and Heinze. Murray said he decided to give Smolinski--who finished Monday night’s game without a goal or an assist--another chance after their talk. “Bryan indicated to me that he preferred not to have that option used on him,” said Murray, who wants Smolinski to be more responsible on defense.

“He’s totally aware now. He appreciates the fact that I’m sticking with him and giving him an opportunity. I told him that I think he’s the key to our team.”

*

Veteran left wing Kelly Buchberger, who suffered a severe ankle sprain on Saturday at Colorado, was not in the lineup Monday and had his consecutive-game streak end at 243.

Buchberger, 35, was placed on the injured reserve list and is listed as week-to-week. The last time Buchberger missed a game was March 15, 1999 as a member of the Edmonton Oilers.