Gretzky Won’t Miss Play

New York Rangers center Wayne Gretzky likely won’t miss any time after suffering a bruised left knee during Tuesday’s game against the Phoenix Coyotes, the team said.

Gretzky limped off the ice with 2:27 remaining in the third period of New York’s 3-1 win after being hit along the boards by Coyotes defenseman John Slaney.

“It’s just a little bit sore,” said Gretzky, who has played in 115 straight games. “In a couple days I should be better.”

Gretzky, who has nine goals and 21 assists, trails only Pat LaFontaine in scoring on the team.

He’s no wimp , Rich Pilon insists he’s still tough.

The New York Islanders’ defenseman, whose value is better measured by his penalty minutes instead of goals or assists, reluctantly put a clear plastic visor on his helmet seven years ago after suffering a career-threatening eye injury.

“When you’re wearing a visor a lot of other guys think that you’re not as tough and they’ll pick on you that much more,” Pilon said. He said if he didn’t wear one, he couldn’t get insurance.

An estimated 80 percent of National Hockey League players compete without a visor, risking career-ending eye injuries. While players give reasons ranging from visors fogging up to them making it hard to breathe, Hall-of-Famer Denis Potvin said it has more to do with masculinity.

“It’s got to be peer pressure completely,” Potvin said.

The former Islanders defenseman felt the same kind of pressure when he began his career in 1973. Other players criticized him for wearing a helmet before they were mandatory. Today’s players take the same kind of heat for wearing eye protection.

Ferraro has surgery

Los Angeles Kings center Ray Ferraro will be sidelined for four to six weeks after undergoing surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee.