Pahlsson, May appear ready

Back at practice after a day off following their decisive victory over Toronto on Wednesday, the Ducks got some more good news Friday as forwards Samuel Pahlsson and Brad May went through a grinding session without a hitch.

Both appear set to return from injury for the Ducks’ home game Sunday against San Jose, leaving Coach Randy Carlyle with this question:

Whom does he sit?

Pahlsson figures to jump back into his customary spot centering the checking line after sitting out eight games because of abdominal inflammation. If that’s the case, the Ducks will have to find a new place for rookie Ryan Carter, who has shined in place of the veteran.

Carter has done his part in helping shut down offensive talents such as Columbus’ Rick Nash, Chicago’s Patrick Kane, Nashville’s Jason Arnott and Toronto’s Mats Sundin in recent games.

If Carter stays in and centers the fourth line, veteran Todd Marchant could be the odd man out. Or it could be Brian Sutherby, a natural center who has played on the wing of late.

And there is May, who has been out since Dec. 17 because of a broken bone in his right foot. But Carlyle loves to have interchangeable forwards and he’s unlikely to lose sleep over his latest lineup decisions.

“I think these are decisions you’d rather have than not have,” Carlyle said. “When you’re getting healthy bodies back that have made a contribution to your group previously, your shortsightedness might make you look at it and say, ‘Don’t fix it if it ain’t broken.’

“And we do take that approach at times. There’s some players that have played well. There’s going to be some decisions that are going to be tough.”

May is wearing a protective device on his right skate. The winger said he was feeling good after getting hit by a shot during a Dec. 15 practice, though he added that “I don’t want to go through that feeling again.”

But May also said he understood that he’ll have to work his way back into the lineup.

“These guys have been playing terrific so there’s no question about it,” he said. “There’s competition every day. They’re good players and they deserve to play.

”. . . The best part about it is that it’s healthy and it’s a good team. We all understand that.”

Right wing George Parros is day to day because of a bruised right knee suffered when Toronto’s Wade Belak collided with him in the second period of the Ducks’ 5-0 win. Angered by the play, Parros asked for a fight and got one with Belak even though he was already hurt.

“I don’t think it was the smartest idea I’ve ever had,” Parros said. “Just the adrenaline that kicks in.”

Parros wouldn’t say whether he thought the hit by Belak was intentional.

“I’m not going to pretend to speak for him,” he said. “I wasn’t happy. I don’t like people taking liberties on me or my team.”

--

eric.stephens@latimes.com