Kariya Weighs In With Timely Hits

It is not only Teemu Selanne who is showing he’s not going to shy away from physical play.

A bulked-up Paul Kariya--once considered too small for the NHL--has been dishing out some well-timed hits.

“Every time Paul hits somebody, it gets everybody else going,” said Selanne, who says he and Kariya should play “more dirty” when other players are out to get them.

Kariya says it’s all in good measure--you can’t expend all of your energy on checks when your team needs your other skills.

“[But] if there’s an opportunity, I’ll take it,” Kariya said. “Especially in a close game when we need a little lift.”

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Winger Warren Rychel said he hopes to return from his back injury Thursday against the Kings. . . . Selanne didn’t practice Tuesday because of illness but is expected to be back Thursday. . . . The Ducks skated with about 100 disadvantaged children after practice in an event coordinated by Athletes and Entertainers for Kids, which serves about 300 social-service agencies in Southern California.