Kariya to See Foot Specialist

Winger Paul Kariya plans to consult a foot specialist at season’s end, hoping laser surgery can remove excess bone that has formed in the wake of three breaks in his right foot in as many seasons.

Kariya said he can’t plant his right foot firmly on the floor while barefoot because of the bone build up. He has trouble pushing off when he begins to skate, which hinders his speed.

“I might see several specialists,” said Kariya, who suffered the most recent break while blocking a shot Dec. 17 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. “Since [the break] happened during the season, there’s been no time to rehab it properly.”

Kariya was sidelined for 16 games after the break. He also suffered broken bones in Game 3 of the 1999 playoffs against the Detroit Red Wings and in February 2000. He turned down an opportunity to play for Canada in the World Championships later this month.

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Petr Tenkrat’s 32-game goal slump ended when he scored the go-ahead goal with 58 seconds left.

“It’s been such a long time,” Tenkrat said. “I talked to my wife about the situation. Last year, I scored 35 goals in 53 games [in the Finnish Elite League]. I don’t know what’s happened.”