Kariya Says He’s Not a Worthy Star

If it was up to Mighty Duck captain Paul Kariya, he would not be included among the players selected as reserves today for the NHL All-Star game, which will be held at Staples Center on Feb. 2.

“The way I’ve been playing, I don’t deserve to go,” said Kariya, who has 17 goals this season, including a hat trick in the Ducks’ 5-3 victory over Nashville on Monday. “We’ll see how it goes.”

With 61,304 votes, Kariya finished sixth among wingers in balloting for the North American starters who will face a World team. Kariya, in his eighth season, has appeared in five of all-star games.

Coach Bryan Murray believes Kariya’s lack of goals should not keep him out of the game.

“If the coaches are watching the games, night in and night out ... they’ll pick him,” Murray said. “Paul Kariya will probably end up having 25 goals by the all-star break, at least I hope. But I think people see his effort.”

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Defenseman Jason York, who has sat out four games in a row because of right-shoulder tendinitis, is questionable for tonight’s game against Buffalo. Winger Jeff Friesen, who aggravated an ankle injury and did not play in the third period against Nashville, also is questionable.

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The Ducks recalled left wing Timo Parssinen from Cincinnati of the American Hockey League Parssinen has one point in six games with the Ducks this season.

TONIGHT

vs. Buffalo, 7:30

Fox Sports Net 2

Site--Arrowhead Pond.

Radio--XTRA (690).

Records--Ducks 14-25-6-3, Sabres 18-22-4-1

Record vs. Sabres (2000-2001)--0-1-1.

Update--Buffalo forward Miroslav Satan, who has seven goals and 11 points in seven games against the Ducks, leads the Sabres in scoring with 34 points. The Ducks have not defeated Buffalo since Jan. 1, 1999.

Tickets--(877) 945-3946.

Lonnie White