Spectator Weight doesn’t like seat

If being scratched for one of the few times in his long career was a message sent to Doug Weight, it was momentarily lost on the veteran center.

“I don’t need a message,” Weight said, when asked about being in street clothes Sunday for the Ducks’ shootout win. “I’ve played 1,100 games. The message was I have to be at the rink at 7 o’clock [to work].”

Weight talked about playing more within the Ducks’ dump-and-chase style.

“Like it or not, when you’re out there a little less, I’ve got to make sure the puck’s going in [the offensive zone],” he said. “I can never have a turnover.”

Weight could face a battle to stay in the lineup now that rookie Ryan Carter is nearly recovered from a broken wrist. In practice Friday, Carter was skating on the second line with Chris Kunitz and Bobby Ryan.

Coach Randy Carlyle says he still has faith in Weight, who has six goals and 14 points in 37 games since coming to Anaheim in a trade for Andy McDonald trade.

“We didn’t think things were going in the direction we’d like to see them,” Carlyle said. “It’s very difficult for a veteran guy, a real good team guy. . . . We didn’t put Doug Weight on the side. We feel that he has an opportunity to come back in our lineup to make a contribution. He will be needed.”

Weight sees this weekend’s games as a way to make an impression. If he plays.

“I’ve played this way for 15 years, so it’s hard,” he said. “I’ve got to go out and play my game. . . . That’s what I’ve got to do.”

Because of Dallas’ loss to Phoenix on Friday, the Ducks clinched home ice for the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, which begin next week. “Our focus can’t be on Dallas,” Carlyle said. “Our focus has to be the L.A. Kings.”

Scott Niedermayer agreed.

“I don’t think it’s ever good to head into a game and not be prepared or try to go out and play your best,” he said. “We just have to have that mind-set going into this weekend.”

As part of the season finale, the Kings will hold a Fan Appreciation Day and will hand out team awards. Then there’s the race for last place with Tampa Bay and implications for Monday’s NHL draft lottery.

“I think right now we’re playing for the fans,” said Anze Kopitar, who leads the Kings with 76 points. “They’ve supported us all season when we didn’t have a very good season. They’ve been so loyal to us, and we’ve got to pay them back with a strong last game.”

TODAY

Ducks at Kings, 1 p.m., FSN West

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 830.

Records -- Ducks 45-27-8; Kings 32-42-7.

Record vs. Kings -- 5-2-0.

Update -- Kings prospect Teddy Purcell was selected rookie of the year in the American Hockey League after notching 22 goals and 77 points for their minor-league team in Manchester, N.H.

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eric.stephens@latimes.com

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lisa.dillman@latimes.com