Rucchin Leaves Practice Early

Center Steve Rucchin made it through about 40 minutes of the Ducks’ hour-long practice Monday before departing for the dressing room.

But he didn’t rule out playing Wednesday against the Kings.

“I’m still feeling under the weather,” said Rucchin, who suffered a broken nose Feb. 17, then was hit in the head Friday by San Jose’s Bryan Marchment.

“I’ve got some congestion in my nose and I’m generally not feeling well. It’s a pretty demanding game. If you’re not feeling well, it’s probably best to try to rest.”

The Ducks certainly fared well without Rucchin in Friday’s 3-1 victory over the Sharks at Anaheim and Saturday’s 4-1 victory in the rematch at San Jose.

“There’s a good chance for Wednesday,” Rucchin said of returning to the lineup against the Kings. “I should be OK by then.”

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Teemu Selanne appeared prouder of needing four stitches to close a cut over his right eye Saturday than of earning NHL player-of-the-month and player-of-the-week honors Monday.

“I look like a tough, mean guy,” Selanne joked, knowing full well that he’s anything but a menacing figure.

Selanne has a 13-game point streak and a six-game goal-scoring streak--the longest current streaks in the NHL.

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Defenseman Jamie Pushor’s bruised chest and left shoulder have healed, but he hasn’t been able to return to the lineup. Pushor was scratched for the seventh consecutive game Saturday.

Coach Craig Hartsburg has been reluctant to change his defense pairings, keeping youngsters Pascal Trepanier and Pavel Trnka together instead of inserting Pushor into the lineup.

“It’s been unfortunate for Jamie,” Hartsburg said. “We like him, but he’s got to stay patient. Those two are playing well together. It’s not like one guy is carrying the other.”