Exhibition finale could decide three open spots

The Ducks’ final exhibition game tonight at home against the Vancouver Canucks will be the last opportunity for players to state their case for what are probably three positions up for grabs on the opening-night roster.

Among the jobs available is a spot on the wing of one of their two scoring lines. Two openings appeared with the departures of Teemu Selanne and Dustin Penner, but one was filled with the signing of Todd Bertuzzi.

The other opening gives hope to the likes of youngster Drew Miller, top prospect Bobby Ryan or journeyman Jason King, each of whom has shown offensive capability at lower levels.

Their fate, along with that of other candidates vying for jobs, could be determined tonight.

“When you have a number of bodies around and you know you’ve got to make some tough decisions, there’s always an opportunity when you get a chance to play in a game,” Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle said.

Carlyle will make final decisions by Monday before the Ducks leave for London, where they begin the regular season as defending Stanley Cup champions against the Kings.

There has been a push for Ryan, 20, the second overall pick of the 2005 draft, to crack the roster. No. 1 pick Sidney Crosby became the NHL’s most valuable player, and the third overall pick, defenseman Jack Johnson, is expected to be in the Kings’ lineup on Saturday.

Ryan scored his first goal in the preseason Friday night, the Ducks’ lone goal in a 3-1 loss at San Jose.

“They’ve put me in a place to succeed with the guys that I’m playing with and the chances that I’m getting,” Ryan said. “What more do you want? I knew coming in they were going to give me every chance, but I’ve still got to earn it every time.

“I think [Friday] night was a pretty good step forward for me.”

Ryan is a prototypical power forward with great hands in the mold of Bertuzzi. Miller’s versatility with his penalty-killing and defensive skills makes him a strong candidate, and King has blazing speed and is a pure scorer.

Another open spot is center on the fourth line, with Todd Marchant currently replacing the injured Samuel Pahlsson on the checking line. Petteri Wirtanen has had a strong camp, but Ryan Carter is also in the mix.

The Ducks are more set on defense, even with Scott Niedermayer on the fence about playing and Mathieu Schneider out because of a broken ankle. Newcomers Shane Hnidy and Maxim Kondratiev are vying with Joe DiPenta to be in the lineup against the Kings.

Carlyle said Pahlsson and goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere have been ruled out of the two London games, but defenseman Francois Beauchemin will play tonight after sitting out a couple of days because of a sore groin suffered Monday at Vancouver.

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eric.stephens@latimes.com