Kariya Practices Despite Off Day

There was no golf on Friday for Paul Kariya. No fishing. Or relaxing by the pool at the Ducks’ hotel in balmy Tampa, Fla., either.

Coach Pierre Page gave Kariya and several other Ducks the day off from practice. But Kariya dutifully showed up at a suburban rink to skate with his teammates.

“I’ve had enough vacation,” said Kariya, who missed the first 32 games of the season because of a contract dispute with management. “Right now, I’ve hit a little plateau. I never factored travel into the equation.”

Kariya said his fitness is fine, but his timing still isn’t what he believes it should be. He has five goals and six assists in nine games, which might please most NHL players, but not Kariya.

“I’m making hard passes when they should be soft,” Kariya said. “It’s the difference between scoring and not scoring. I’m not saying it’s got to be perfect. [But] if I keep working on it in practice it will happen for me.”

He also preached patience when it comes to the struggling Ducks, who are 2-6-1 since he signed a two-year, $14-million contract Dec. 11. He is encouraged by the Ducks’ recent play, especially during Thursday’s 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals.

“We’ve got to start winning games, obviously,” he said. “But we’re not in a do-or-die scenario yet. We’ve been in this position the last two years. If anyone’s prepared for it, it’s us.”

TONIGHT

at

Tampa Bay

* 4 PST

* Fox Sports

West 2

Site--Ice Palace.

Radio--KRLA (1110), KCKC (1350), KPLS (830).

Records--Ducks 13-21-7, Lightning 9-23-8. D

Record vs. Lightning--1-0.

Update--Enforcer Brent Severyn, sidelined since Oct. 25 because of a herniated disk in his back, has been cleared to play tonight. Defenseman Jason Marshall, out six games since suffering a separated shoulder Dec. 19 against the Phoenix Coyotes, is almost ready to return to the lineup. Tampa Bay is expected to start third-string goaltender Derek Wilkinson. Starter Daren Puppa is sidelined because of back spasms and No. 2 goalie Corey Schwab sprained his right ankle in a 2-0 victory Wednesday over the New York Rangers. Schwab is expected to be out for at least two weeks.