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MODANO PLAYS DESPITE INJURY 06/13/99 Associated Press BUFFALO, N.Y. - Mike Modano, despite an injured wrist, played Saturday night as the Dallas Stars faced the Buffalo Sabres in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals. Modano's wrist has been the hot topic in Buffalo for the past couple days, and his appearance in the lineup was still a question mark until game time. The Stars' top all-around player had his wrist injured when hit by Buffalo's Jay McKee in Game 2 on Thursday night, and there was speculation of a fracture. Modano said during a news conference Saturday about eight hours before the game that it was a "bad bruise" and indicated that he was leaning toward playing but would decide after the pre-game skate. Modano, who said he would wear a cast to protect the injured wrist, started, but not in his accustomed position. Usually a center, Modano played at left wing on a line with right wing Jere Lehtinen and center Joe Nieuwendyk. Modano's wrist injury was the biggest story line of the day, but not the only one. Sabres coach Lindy Ruff inserted Rob Ray into the lineup for the first time in the finals to put some muscle into the lineup. The idea was to help protect goaltender Dominik Hasek, who has complained about being pushed around by Stars skaters.