NHL : Minus Gretzky, Kings Beat Sharks

Wayne Gretzky, still suffering from a back injury, is expected back in Los Angeles over the weekend, but don’t expect him back on the ice for a while.

Mike Barnett, Gretzky’s agent, said it “might be optimistic” to look for Gretzky before the Kings’ exhibition finale Sept. 29. The team opens the regular season Oct. 4.

Even without their star center, the Kings evened their exhibition season record at 1-1-1 with a 3-0 victory over the expansion San Jose Sharks Thursday night before a Forum crowd of 11,568. The Kings’ goals were scored by John McIntyre, Mike Vukonich and Scott Bjugstad.

It was a combined shutout for Daniel Berthiaume and David Goverde, even though the Sharks outshot the Kings, 24-18.

Gretzky was hurt in the Canada Cup finals in Montreal Saturday when he was crosschecked from behind. Plagued with back spasms, he has remained in Canada. “He’s certainly not 100%,” Barnett said. “He’s getting rest and therapy and taking it day to day.”