Gretzky Feels Better but Will Stay in Hospital : Hockey: His back pain and spasms continue. Canucks tie Kings in exhibition opener.

There is enough concern about Wayne Gretzky’s strained upper back that he will remain in the hospital through the weekend.

“Our goal is to reduce the amount of pain Wayne is currently experiencing,” back specialist Dr. Robert Watkins said. “We will continue to evaluate the multitude of tests that have been taken. In the meantime, Wayne will remain under our care so he receives the proper treatment and therapy.”

Said King trainer Pete Demers, who was with the team in Vancouver for Friday’s exhibition against the Canucks: “He’s feeling better.

“But he’s still having pain and spasms. He’ll stay there over the weekend for treatment. They can make him more comfortable there. And he’ll be re-evaluated Monday. It’s a day-to-day thing. The main thing is to get (the back) cooled down.”

Since Wednesday, when he was admitted as a precautionary measure, Gretzky has been at Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood, on medication and under observation. He has been undergoing tests.

“Any time there’s a player of his magnitude injured, you’re concerned,” Demers said.

Gretzky wasn’t scheduled to play Friday, but the team had planned for him to play Sunday against Pittsburgh at Portland, Ore., and against the Penguins on Wednesday at Tacoma, Wash. That, of course, was before he felt a twinge of back pain Tuesday.