KINGS-DUCKS REPORT : Page Takes a Shot at Ducks’ Defense

Coach Pierre Page, searching far and wide for something good to say about his struggling defensive corps, praised Jason Marshall. And that’s probably a slap at veterans such as David Karpa and Dmitri Mironov.

“He didn’t even play regularly last season and right now he’s our best defenseman,” Page said of Marshall, who had one goal and 10 points in 73 games last season. “Why? Because he works his rear off. It’s not right. He’s not Bobby Orr, but he’s our best damn defenseman. He takes the body and he makes the first pass.”

Page was so unhappy with Karpa after Wednesday’s 3-0 loss to the San Jose Sharks that he scratched him Sunday for the first time this season.

“David had a tough game last time,” Page said of Karpa, who has one goal and nine points in 59 games.

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Carolina has had a terrible time attracting fans in their temporary home at the Greensboro Coliseum, averaging 8,500 fans while going head to head with Atlantic Coast Conference basketball.

Perhaps that’s why Hurricane Coach Paul Maurice seems at home amid all the empty seats Sunday at the Arrowhead Pond.

“Maybe it’s just us,” he said.