ST. LOUIS (AP) -Mats Sundin was scratched from the Vancouver Canucks' lineup for Game 3 against St. Louis on Sunday night because of a groin injury.

The Blues remained without star Paul Kariya, sidelined since early November by a hip injury. Kariya had appeared hopeful of returning after getting a stiff test in the morning skate.

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Neither player is a cinch to go in Game 4 on Tuesday night, either, as the Canucks seek a four-game sweep and the Blues try to avoid getting swept for the first time since 1994.

Kariya is attempting to return from a pair of hip operations, one on each side in January and February. He had two goals and 13 assists in the first 11 games of the season.

Kariya had been skating on his own in Colorado, where he had both operations, while the Blues managed one goal and lost the first two games at Vancouver. He said he could have played in Game 3, and added it was ``possible' he could be back for Game 4.

``I felt really good in the skate, my hips felt good in the skate,' Kariya said told CBC between the second and third periods. ``It's nice to have two legs.

``I'm really excited about the prospects of playing soon.'

The 38-year-old Sundin got the first goal in the Canucks' 3-0 victory in Game 2 Friday night in Vancouver. Coach Alain Vigneault said Sundin was hurt in the first period of that game and refused to speculate on his availability for Game 4.

``We'll know in a couple days,' Vigneault said. ``At this time it's day to day, week to week, whatever you want to call it.'