Paul Kariya may play in tonight's game

[Mike 0]

This would be great for the Blues if they can get Kariya back in the lineup. This plus playing on their home ice might be enough to get them a win.

Blues star Paul Kariya was on the ice with his teammates during the morning at the morning skate before Game 3 against Vancouver Sunday night. Kariya, who hasn’t played since November, looked like he might be available to help the Blues come back from an 0-2 deficit in the Stanley Cup Quarterfinals series.

Kariya was bent over at times from a hard workout – his first full workout with his teammates – since two hip surgeries. He looked sluggish at first, but got better after he warmed up. And he was flying at times at the end.

Kariya, a North Vancouver native who last played Nov. 5 in Anaheim after getting two goals and 13 assists in 11 games, had surgery on his left hip January 5 and felt so good he went back and had the right hip done as well, is likely to play tonight. His surgeon was Dr. Marc Philippon, who you might recognize as the same physician who recently operated on the hip of New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez.

When he came off the ice, Kariya was asked if he'd be in the lineup to help the Blues who had only one goal in the first two games, said, "We'll see."

Not, "No way." Not, "Maybe."

So a question was posed to St. Louis coach Andy Murray: What does it say to you if Paul Kariya says, "We'll see."

The coach got a big smile on his face and didn't hesitate in saying, "If Paul tells me he can play ... he's in."

Kariya has been skating on his own while the Blues were in Vancouver for the first two games of the series.

NHL

[titanium2 867]

This doesn't have anything to do with Kariya, but Vancouver looks pretty good. Anyone else think so?

[Guest Shoreline]

I don't think Kariya, unless he has an explosive performance similar to that 2003 postseason, will make much difference in this series, and worse case scenario, might fudge up the little bit of chemistry that's been there. On the other hand, the Blues might be desperate for something so..

[Mike 0]

I don't think Kariya, unless he has an explosive performance similar to that 2003 postseason, will make much difference in this series, and worse case scenario, might fudge up the little bit of chemistry that's been there. On the other hand, the Blues might be desperate for something so..

The Blues are desperate for something, goals.

[hoogs 8]

We need the Blues to win this series

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I don't think Kariya, unless he has an explosive performance similar to that 2003 postseason, will make much difference in this series, and worse case scenario, might fudge up the little bit of chemistry that's been there. On the other hand, the Blues might be desperate for something so..

I don't know about that. A few great dives and he might give the Blues a few etra powerplays that they wouldn't have had otherwise.

If healthy he's still their best player out there. Kind of amazing that they made the playoffs with their best forward and best defenseman injured for the entire season. How many team can you say that about?

[cirov19 1]

Blues will win tonight.. hopefully both of their home games. "We'll see."

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

It's huge for St Louis. Vancouver hasnt been that much better then St Louis, Luongo has been. Adding a guy like that could crack Luongos shell, doubtful but better then one of the goons they got on the 4th line.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

I've seen both Blues games and they just need a guy that finish a scoring chance. Not miss the net, hit the post, shoot it into the goalie. Kariya can pick a corner, this would be huge for them.

[Zion 93]

He is NOT in tonight.

St. Louis MUST win.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

Mats Sundin.

[Donaldjr2448 43]

Kariya gets way tooo much credit for Anaheim's sucess in 2003!! He only had 4 goals in the playoffs that year! I had him on my fantasy team and he sucked!! Hell Steve Thomas had more goals then he did! To think that Kariya is a playoff performer, your kidding yourself, dude is a China doll!!

[55fan 5,133]

I don't think Kariya, unless he has an explosive performance similar to that 2003 postseason, will make much difference in this series, and worse case scenario, might fudge up the little bit of chemistry that's been there. On the other hand, the Blues might be desperate for something so..

My sister has a fanatical devotion to Kariya. She told me that Blues fans seemed to be split on whether they want him back for the playoffs or not, citing "chemistry" issues. Now that they really need the wins, I don't think chemistry is as much of an issue as they had thought. It's good to have chemistry, and I can see not wanting to mess that up, but things aren't working, it's a secondary issue. They need goals and wins. I think Kariya can provide these things for them.

[spydrwebb 0]

wait, paul kariya is still playing?

does he still resemble a 14 year old?

[hoogs 8]

He is out for tonight..............Blues will probably be elminated tonight.

[Jones31 0]

He wouldn't have made a difference anyways.