Ducks’ Jiri Sekac aiming for four-game trip for return from injury

Ducks left wing Jiri Sekac is nearing a return from a serious ankle sprain but won’t be available until at least next week.

Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau ruled out Sekac for Friday but he wasn’t expected back that soon anyway. Sekac said Thursday that he is feeling better and pointed to a four-game trip that begins Dec.17.

After Friday, the Ducks have five days off.

“I really want to play on the road trip, and I think I might be ready for that,” Sekac said.

Sekac and the Ducks are being cautious because it is a high ankle sprain, which was sustained Nov. 1 and can be tricky to heal.

“You can’t go back too quick or too soon, because once you tweak it, you’re back at zero again,” Sekac said. “We’re trying to protect this from hurting it again.”

Patrick Maroon is expected to go back into the lineup. The Ducks don’t have any spare forwards but can recall one quickly from San Diego.

Defenseman Simon Despres is improving from a concussion but is not well enough for extensive workouts, a spokesman said. Despres had started skating but remains symptomatic from a hit sustained Oct.16.

Riding Gibson

Goaltender John Gibson is expected to make his seventh straight start after he was named one of the NHL’s “Three Stars” of last week.

Boudreau said he wasn’t concerned about Frederik Andersen sitting for a long period and expected the goalie to be ready when called.

“He’s done it before,” Boudreau said. “They’re professionals. It’s their job. We’re not going to give them built-in excuses just because you haven’t played in a while.”

OT work

The Ducks worked on three-on-three play. They are 0-4 in the overtime format and none of the overtimes lasted two minutes. Boudreau has toyed with using two defensemen.

UP NEXT

DUCKS VS. CAROLINA HURRICANES

When: Friday, 7 p.m. PST.

On the air: TV: Prime; Radio: 830.

Update: Carolina is struggling offensively at 2.29 goals per game, but that’s well above the NHL-worst 1.93 goals per game the Ducks are averaging. The Ducks beat the Hurricanes, 4-1, on Nov.16 behind a goal and two assists by Carl Hagelin.... Disney was awarded the Ducks franchise 23 years ago Thursday.

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