Heady Times for an Antsy Karpov

It has been 16 games and nearly six weeks since Mighty Duck winger Valeri Karpov last played, but he could hardly contain his giddiness Tuesday. “Finally, I maybe will be in a game,” said Karpov, who suffered a concussion Oct. 24 and hasn’t played since.

Karpov will play tonight if Ken Baumgartner’s tender ankle keeps him out of the game.

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Brian Bellows has played more than 1,000 NHL games and knows enough not to say exactly how he feels about facing his former team, Tampa Bay, tonight. “When I went back to Montreal, that was a big deal. Now I’ve gotten used to it,” said Bellows, who played three seasons for the Canadiens. “[Tampa Bay] definitely is a better team than their record.” . . . Center Ted Drury is taking a turn on the first line with Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne, replacing Steve Rucchin. . . . Right wing Roman Oksiuta skated but doesn’t seem close to returning from an ankle injury.