Despite Slump, Kariya Keeps His Chin Up

For a player riding a six-game scoreless streak, which ties the longest drought of his career, Mighty Duck captain Paul Kariya didn’t seem concerned about it after Saturday’s practice.

“I’ve played horrible games and [scored] two or three goals,” Kariya said. “I would have done nothing but got the puck on my stick twice and it went in. I’ve also played great games and got nothing. I’m not saying that I’m playing great right now, but I’m not playing as badly as the stats.”

In 44 games, Kariya has 13 goals and 16 assists, but he hasn’t gotten a point since Dec. 23. With only 29 points and 38 games remaining, Kariya, in his eighth season, is on pace to finish with his lowest point total in a noninjury season.

Anaheim Coach Bryan Murray said that it hasn’t helped that Kariya is playing on a line with Andy McDonald and Marty McInnis instead of Steve Rucchin and Teemu Selanne.

“I don’t think his play has dropped, his effort has been good every night,” Murray said. “Having two guys missing off, which historically has been his line, is a factor.”

Kariya, however, disagreed with his coach.

“If I wasn’t getting chances, that may be the problem. But chances are there every game,” Kariya said.

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One of the top players at the World Junior Championships at the Czech Republic was Anaheim prospect Stanislav Chistov, who helped lead Russia to a gold medal with a 5-4 victory against Canada in the final. Chistov was selected the championship game most valuable player and finished the tournament with four goals and eights assists.

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Vitaly Vishnevski, who has missed five games because of a sprained left ankle, practiced Saturday and Murray hopes to play the defenseman when the Ducks host St. Louis on Wednesday.