Rucchin Line Drawing Rave Reviews

How about that Steve Rucchin line?

It’s usually called the Paul Kariya-Teemu Selanne line, of course. But players tend to identify a line by the name of its center, and Rucchin is being singled out for a lot of credit recently.

“The key right now is Rucchin’s line,” goalie Guy Hebert said. “They’re a great three-man unit.”

Rucchin, the only player on his line who won’t be in Saturday’s All-Star game, has seven points in the last three games and is a good faceoff man who plays a crucial defensive role. He has 26 points, despite having been benched for three games early in the season.

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Selanne won’t be able to wear No. 8 in the NHL All-Star game Saturday in San Jose because it was claimed by starting defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh of Colorado. . . . Left wing Shawn Antoski practiced but left the ice early because of hip pain. A decision on surgery awaits.