NOTES : Kings’ Carson Finds Cup Dream Scratched

It’s not often that a 37-goal scorer is scratched in the Stanley Cup finals for a reason other than an injury.

Yet, King center Jimmy Carson had the feeling he would not play Tuesday night in Game 1. He got the news at the morning skate, when King Coach Barry Melrose announced he would make no lineup adjustments.

Carson has been scratched for four consecutive games, starting with Game 5 of the Campbell Conference final against Toronto.

This is not the Stanley Cup dream Carson envisioned.

“Not right now,” he said. “Hopefully, when you ask me in two weeks, it will be. Obviously, it’s very frustrating.”

He said he believed his hiatus would be brief. Melrose told him that he wanted to dress seven defensemen and give more ice time to the other centers, Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri, Corey Millen and Pat Conacher. Then the Kings lost Game 5 and Carson believed his exile was over. “It surprised me when I didn’t play in Game 6,” he said. “And I haven’t heard from him (Melrose) since.”

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After what he has gone through this season--a herniated thoracic disk caused him to miss 39 games--Gretzky was asked this week how he would treat relative mediocrity in the future. For instance, an 80-point season.

“Honestly, next year, if I don’t play the way I am capable, I won’t continue,” he said. “I refuse to go through what I went through this season. I believe that’s all behind me. I think I’m going to have a tremendous year next year, but I won’t embarrass myself.”

The chances of another herniated thoracic disk are “a million-to-one,” Gretzky said.

He has had no pain and is playing his best playoff hockey since coming to Los Angeles. “He’s rejuvenated,” Melrose said. “I told him I’m counting on having him for at least five more years.”

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Linesman Wayne Bonney was unable to work Tuesday’s game because of the recurrence of a condition affecting his left eye.

He was injured months ago, when he hit by a ball thrown by his daughter.

Gerard Gauthier replaced Bonney and worked with Ray Scapinello. Pierre Champoux was summoned to be a backup linesman.

Bryan Lewis, the NHL’s director of officiating, was uncertain whether Bonney would recover to work the finals, so he is juggling his linesmen. Kevin Collins also is scheduled to work in this series.