Struggling Parssinen Left Out of Lineup

Timo Parssinen, who was impressive during training camp, was one of the three healthy scratches Tuesday, as Coach Bryan Murray shook up the lineup in the wake of a 6-1 drubbing by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Parssinen, a 24-year-old left wing from Finland, had skated on the same line with Paul Kariya. After struggling through the first games, Parssinen sat and watched.

“It can certainly help a young player to be pulled out of the lineup,” Murray said.

It also helped Kariya, who skated with center Steve Rucchin and left wing Mike Leclerc. That line was active, and Kariya had room to skate for the first time in three games.

Kariya nearly tied the score in the third period, as he burst toward the net and tipped a Keith Carney pass. Montreal goalie Jeff Hackett got a pad on the shot.

“We needed more energy in the lineup,” Murray said.

So he juggled the lineup. Left wings Dan Bylsma and Denny Lambert and defenseman Antti-Jussi Niemi all played for the first time.

Niemi replaced defenseman Pavel Trnka, whose turnover led to a goal against Toronto. Center Marc Chouinard was the Ducks’ other healthy scratch.

“I want to play, of course,” Parssinen said. “If you play good, you get to play. If don’t you don’t, you stay out.”

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Samuel Pahlsson sprained his ankle on the first shift and left 3 minutes 59 seconds into the first period. He returned in the second period, but sat out the last eight minutes of the game.

“He injured it on his first face off,” Murray said. “He taped it and tried to go. But I told him to sit and rest it in the third period.”