Rare Kariya-Lindros Meeting

There will be something of a rarity tonight when the Mighty Ducks and Philadelphia Flyers play at the Arrowhead Pond. Paul Kariya and Eric Lindros, Canada’s two premier NHL players, will be on the ice together.

Injuries and circumstances have kept them apart except for four games during their careers. Last season was the first time the two had played in the same game since 1995-96.

“We’re in different conferences, for one thing,” Kariya said. “But we’ve both had our share of injuries. I try to be my best every game, but when you get to go against great players it’s special.”

In the 1996-97 season, Lindros missed the first 22 games, including two against the Ducks, because of a groin injury.

The next season, Kariya missed the first 32 games, one against Philadelphia, because of a contract dispute. He missed the last 28 games, one against the Flyers, after suffering a concussion.

Only twice have the two played more than 70 games in a season and the results were as expected. In 1995-96, Lindros scored 115 points and Kariya 108. Last season, Kariya scored 101 points and Lindros, who missed the last seven games and the playoffs because of a collapsed lung, scored 93.

“There really isn’t anything similar about them,” Duck Coach Craig Hartsburg said. “One is 6 feet 5, 240 pounds. It just shows that there is no one body mold to be a great player.”

Lindros almost missed this encounter, as he sat out the last two games because of a virus. He practiced the last two days and is expected to play tonight.

“I’m not sick anymore,” Lindros told reporters Monday. “I feel better and I’ve got legs and I’ve got energy.”

*

Practice was scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, but several players were on the ice at 10:15 to work on the teams’ ailing power play. They went 15 minutes without defenders, then an additional 10 against defenders.

The Ducks have scored six goals in 42 power-play opportunities.

One change Tuesday was Tony Hrkac, acquired in a trade with the New York Islanders last week, replacing Steve Rucchin on the first power-play unit. Hrkac scored seven power-play goals with the Dallas Stars last season.

TONIGHT

vs. Philadelphia, 7:30

Fox Sports West 2

* Site--Arrowhead Pond.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 6-6-1-1; Philadelphia 6-6-1-1.

* Record vs. Flyers (1998-99)--1-1.

* Update--The Flyers have won six of their last seven games. With Lindros ill and Rod Brind’amour out with a foot injury, the offense could have collapsed. But Mark Recchi, who signed a five-year, $25-million contract during the off-season, propped it up. He leads the NHL with 20 points. Former Flyer Dominic Roussel will start in goal for the Ducks.

* Tickets--(714) 740-2000.