Demitra Returns as a Success With Wild

He’s gone, and certainly missed.

Pavol Demitra returns to Staples Center tonight in a Minnesota Wild uniform. Demitra was traded to the Wild for Patrick O’Sullivan and a first-round pick to help with General Manager Dean Lombardi’s long-term plan.

“I never expected to get traded, never thought it would happen, but it has been good,” said Demitra, who had signed a three-year, $13.5-million contract with the Kings before the 2005-06 season. “But I love playing here and I’m playing with close friends. So far everything has been going well.”

It’s gone a little better than well. The Wild is 5-0 heading into tonight’s game. Demitra is tied for the team lead with seven points. The Wild, which has had a philosophy rooted in the clutch-and-grab era, is now offense-minded, with the best power play in the NHL.

The deal helped Lombardi replenish the organization with young players. They drafted forward Trevor Lewis with the pick.

Demitra was a big part of the Kings’ early success a year ago but was slowed by injuries. Now he returns to say hello to old friends.

“I already talked with Craig Conroy,” Demitra said. “He’s a good friend and a great guy. Still, I think he’ll try to check me.”

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It was no secret that the Kings were going to have trouble scoring this season, with no one on the roster who has more than 27 goals in an NHL season. The Kings have one goal in each of the last three games, playing against two of the Western Conference’s top teams, the Dallas Stars and Detroit Red Wings. They are one for 24 on the power play in those games and are five for 53 this season.

“We need all our players contributing with the type of team we have,” Coach Marc Crawford said. “There are players with different skill levels, but it doesn’t mean less skill can’t be effective. We need to be more determined with the puck.”

Put another way, “We have to have some puck arrogance,” said forward Michael Cammalleri, who leads the team with three goals.

chris.foster@latimes.com

TONIGHT

vs. Minnesota, 7:30, FSNW

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Kings 2-4-0, Wild 5-0.

Record vs. Wild (2005-06) -- 3-1-0.

Update -- Center Derek Armstrong underwent dental work Tuesday to repair damage suffered when he was hit by a puck in Monday’s game. Armstrong is expected to play tonight.

Tickets -- (888) 546-4752.