Ferraro’s Knee Injury May Be Worse

Center Ray Ferraro’s knee injury may be more serious than first indicated, according to team physician Dr. Ronald Kvitne.

Ferraro’s injury, which resulted from a hit by the New York Rangers’ Jeff Beukeboom, was first diagnosed as a left knee sprain. But tests have shown that he also has a slight tear to his anterior cruciate ligament.

Ferraro, 33, has decided to try playing with a fitted brace and avoid surgery.

“I’m going to try rehab and if I can play in three weeks, I will play,” Ferraro said. “I won’t know until I get out there.”

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Defenseman Mattias Norstrom returned to the lineup Sunday against the Ottawa Senators after being a healthy scratch at St. Louis in the last game of the Kings’ recent trip.

Coach Larry Robinson believed Norstrom had been playing with the same aggressive style Team Sweden used at the World Championships in Finland last summer.

The King scratches were defensemen Jan Vopat and Philippe Boucher and left wing Vladimir Tsyplakov. Vopat has not played this season and Robinson said he may send him to the minors.

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The Los Angeles Sports Council and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce will honor the Kings at a noon luncheon Tuesday at the downtown Hotel Inter-Continental. Details: (213) 482-6352.