Barney’s Play Is a Little Chippy

Scott Barney scored his first NHL goal Wednesday, with assists going to Cheetos and Doritos.

Two years ago, on a detour leading him away from an injury-wracked hockey career, Barney took a job delivering snacks for Frito-Lay in Canada. He barely lasted a week. The job made him realize that hockey was where he wanted to be.

After Wednesday’s game against the Minnesota Wild, the King winger was able to look back, for at least one night, on the lengthy, twisting path he had taken to the NHL.

Barney, the Kings’ second-round selection in the 1997 draft, missed three seasons because of a severe back injury that confounded doctors. There was talk of bulging disks and a misaligned spinal cord.

“Everything was out of whack, from my hips to my back,” Barney said.

He did not skate or lift a weight for three years, but he finally felt strong enough after two operations to return to hockey last season. He scored 13 goals for Manchester (N.H.) of the American Hockey League and had a team-high 19 goals this season before the injury-depleted Kings recalled him Monday.

Barney, 26, scored the Kings’ second goal in a 2-2 tie against Minnesota. A good-sized delivery, perhaps with others to come.

“It’s been a long road, but he needs to go back on that road [tonight] in Columbus,” King Coach Andy Murray said. “Careers aren’t made on one goal or one game.”

Barney understands.

“If I don’t play well, I’m sure I’ll be on that first plane back to Manchester,” he said. “I can’t get too high [emotionally]. If I do, I might not be as good.”

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Murray said Luc Robitaille probably would play tonight after sitting out Wednesday as a healthy scratch for only the second time in his 18-season career.... Rookie defenseman Tim Gleason was sent down to Manchester for the second time this season.... Tonight will be the last game of a 10-game suspension served by enforcer Kip Brennan for returning to the ice after being thrown out of a game Dec. 26 against the San Jose Sharks.... The Kings’ 19 shots in the first period against Minnesota equaled the most ever allowed in a period by the Wild.

TONIGHT

at Columbus, 4 PST, Fox Sports Net

Site -- Nationwide Arena.

Radio -- KSPN (710).

Records -- Kings 16-14-10-4, Blue Jackets 11-24-6-3.

Record vs. Blue Jackets -- 0-0-1.

Update -- The Blue Jackets have the fewest points in the Western Conference, but they played the Kings to a 2-2 tie Saturday at Staples Center. The Kings never led in that game, and they have not beaten the Blue Jackets in the last six meetings.