Murray Unable to Hold the Lines

Duck Coach Bryan Murray wouldn’t consider line changes before Monday’s game. His plan to spread the scoring out over three lines was in place, even though Paul Kariya had only one shot in each of the first two games.

“I told the players we made a decision in training camp,” Murray said before the game at Toronto. “I don’t want to send the message that we made the wrong decision after two games.”

So he waited another period, then teamed Kariya with center Steve Rucchin and left wing Mike Leclerc in the Ducks’ 6-1 loss to the Maple Leafs.

Kariya again struggled while skating with left wing Timo Parssinen, a rookie, and center Samuel Pahlsson, who has one NHL season under his belt.

“I always should be able to play with whoever the coach wants me to play with,” Kariya said. “The three of us had a good preseason together. When I first came into the league, I didn’t exactly light it up the first few games.”

TONIGHT

At Montreal, 4:30 PST

Fox Sports Net 2

Radio--XTRA (690).

Site--Molson Centre.

Records--Ducks 1-2-0-0, Canadiens 1-0-1-0.

Record vs. Canadiens (2000-01)--1-0-0-0.

Update--Montreal left wing Brian Savage was tops in the NHL with six points before Monday’s games.