Kings’ Jarret Stoll says he feels good, has no timetable for return

SAN JOSE — Kings center Jarret Stoll, who suffered a concussion on a hit from San Jose Sharks winger Raffi Torres in Game 1 in this Western Conference semifinal playoff series, said Sunday he feels good and will continue to be active as long as he has no recurrence of headaches or other symptoms. He said there is no timetable for his return.

“Push it more and more every day, without setbacks. You have a setback, you have to start over again,� he said in his first interview since the incident. “Just take it slow.�

Stoll skated Sunday morning, his third straight day on the ice. However, he hasn’t been cleared for contact.

“I’ve done this before, earlier on in my career, so I know how it feels and what’s right and what’s not, if I’m off or back to normal or not,� he said. “So just day by day.�

Stoll said the ill effects he suffered were “not even close� to the severity of the concussion that cost him the final 30 games of the 2006-07 season when he was with the Edmonton Oilers. But he said it took him “a good seven or eight days� to get rid of the headaches he experienced after the hit by Torres.

He also said Torres reached out to him afterward, though Stoll wouldn’t discuss what they said. Stoll and Torres were teammates in Edmonton, and Stoll was in Torres’ wedding party.

Stoll didn’t seem to carry a grudge toward his old friend.

“It’s a game. You play the game, there’s hitting and physical play involved. You take that chance,� Stoll said.

“It was a hockey play and a hit that did what it did. It’s over now.�

Sharks’ Braun misses part of game

The Sharks lost defenseman Justin Braun for part of the first period after he left the game, suffering from back spasms. They could have put defenseman-turned-forward Brent Burns back at defense, but they didn’t have to do so when Braun returned in the second.

“When you see Braunie down the way he was, especially that early in the game, you’re not sure if he’s coming back,� San Jose Coach Todd McLellan said. “So the game plan changes a little bit.

“You end up missing an individual that you wanted matched against a certain pair.�

Changes in lines

There were minor lineup adjustments for both sides. The Kings put Jordan Nolan back in for Game 6, taking out rookie forward Tyler Toffoli. Nolan had been a healthy scratch the last three games.

San Jose forward and role player Adam Burish, out since suffering a broken hand May 7, returned for Game 6. He had a good line about his hands.

“I’ll say it: My hands aren’t the most important part of my game. I’m realistic about that,� said Burish after Sunday’s morning skate.

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