Rucchin Line Drawing Rave Reviews

How about that Steve Rucchin line?

It’s usually called the Paul Kariya-Teemu Selanne line. But players tend to identify a line by the center, and Rucchin is getting 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.

Rucchin has 26 points overall despite being benched three games early in the season for subpar play.

“He handles the puck so well and sees the plays,” said Kariya, who considers the 6-foot-3, 215-pound center seriously underrated. “He creates space for us out there, and he really works the corners.”

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Left wing Shawn Antoski practiced but left the ice early because of hip pain. A decision on surgery still awaits.