Hebert’s Problems Help Shtalenkov

Backup goalie Mikhail Shtalenkov, who has played in two of the Ducks’ three victories, will make a third consecutive start tonight.

“Mike’s playing well. He’s going to get another shot,” Coach Ron Wilson said.

Guy Hebert didn’t play against the Kings Friday because of leg cramps, creating an opening for Shtalenkov, who won Friday and played in a 3-2 loss to Dallas on Monday.

The Ducks have been disappointed in Hebert’s performance, particularly because he finished last season with a .936 save percentage over the final month but has a .877 save percentage this season.

Goaltending consultant Francois Allaire is in town for one of several scheduled visits.

“With a guy like Francois around, it’s a lot easier to get Guy back to basics with technical things,” said Wilson, who is at a loss to explain Hebert’s hot-and-cold play. Allaire said there are worse things than being streaky.

“It’s good news because you know they have the talent,” Allaire said. “If somebody’s never been hot in their life, that’s not good. If they’ve been hot, all you have to do is get them back to the same level.”

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Right wing Warren Rychel returns after serving a one-game NHL suspension for his second game misconduct for a stick-related major within 41 regular-season games. . . . Winger Valeri Karpov practiced Tuesday for the first time since suffering a concussion and strained neck Oct. 24 but won’t return to the lineup right away.