KING/DUCK REPORT

A brother vs. brother matchup became a distinct possibility when Vancouver recalled left wing Steve Kariya, Paul Kariya’s younger brother, on Wednesday. The Canucks play the Mighty Ducks Sunday at the Arrowhead Pond.

The Kariyas have played against each other only once in their NHL careers. Paul had a goal and Steve an assist in a 2-2 tie on Dec. 8, 1999.

Steve, who is three years younger, played 45 games with the Canucks in 1999-2000, but spent most of last season in the minor leagues. He played 17 games with Vancouver last season.

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King defenseman Mattias Norstrom skated alone for a second consecutive day, but said he was no closer to returning to the lineup. Norstrom has missed one game because of an injured rib.

“I can skate in circles all day, but it doesn’t mean anything until I can get in some drills and get bumped,” Norstrom said. “The best hope is I’ll be back in a couple days, but it is looking like a week to 10 days before I can play.”

Norstrom will travel with the Kings, who leave for Detroit today to start a six-game road trip. He hopes to rejoin the team in practice after the weekend.

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Duck center Marc Chouinard, who missed Wednesday’s game because of an injured right knee, returned to the lineup Thursday. He centered the fourth line, allowing Dan Bylsma to move back to left wing.

Bylsma, the Ducks’ emergency fourth-line center against Boston Wednesday, won all four faceoffs he took, including two when the Ducks were trying to kill a five-on-three disadvantage.

“I didn’t know I had another center on this team,” Coach Bryan Murray said.

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The Ducks lost defenseman Ruslan Salei during Thursday night’s game with a bruised left knee.

Salei dived to block a Jaroslav Modry shot 13 minutes into the second period and the puck slammed off the outside of his leg. He was helped off the ice and did not return.

Salei missed 32 games with injuries last season.