Pahlsson Was Lindros’ Center of Attention

Samuel Pahlsson watched a video highlight from the Mighty Ducks’ 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers on Sunday. It wasn’t pleasing to the eye ... or his head.

The clip showed the Rangers’ Eric Lindros punching Pahlsson, then clubbing him with his stick. No penalty was called. Pahlsson’s crime, apparently, was beating Lindros in the faceoff circle three times deep in the Duck zone during the closing minutes.

Duck Coach Bryan Murray was angry about the incident. Pahlsson seemed more perplexed.

“I didn’t remember that he hit me with his stick,” Pahlsson said. “I don’t know, maybe he was trying to hit the puck. But I remember him hitting me with his fist.”

These are the things Pahlsson has endured while filling in for the injured Steve Rucchin as the center on the Ducks’ top line.

“I don’t think Sammy is the type of player who is a No. 1 center in the NHL,” Murray said. “Sammy is an intelligent player, whose positioning is real sound. He’s not a speedster. Usually the guy playing No. 1 has to be a big body and a real good playmaker, or a fast guy.”

Still, Pahlsson seems to have secured himself a role for the future. He has three goals and nine points and is playing well defensively.

“If we ever get him playing where he should be playing, he will give us a chance to have a real productive third line,” Murray said.

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Besides Rucchin, who has a stress fracture, the Ducks are waiting for defenseman Keith Carney to return from a chipped bone in his right hand.

Carney, who played 262 consecutive games before being injured, will undergo a CT scan today. He has resumed skating and used a stick, for balance, for the first time Tuesday. He is unlikely to return soon.

TONIGHT

vs. Edmonton, 7:30

Site--Arrowhead Pond.

Radio--XTRA (690).

Records--Ducks 7-14-3-0, Oilers 14-7-3-1.

Record vs. Oilers--(2000-01) 1-2-1-0.

Update--The Oilers are 1-2-1-0 since left wing Ryan Smyth suffered a broken right ankle. Mike Grier, a consistent 20-goal scorer, has not scored a goal in 20 games and has only two this season. This will be Murray’s 1,000th game as an NHL head coach.

Tickets--(877) 945-3946.