Page Still Experimenting

Coach Pierre Page is still mixing and matching lines, but now that the biggest hole in the lineup has been plugged, he is doing so with a little less urgency.

So Scott Young, Mark Janssens and Ted Drury have worked together. Young also has been teamed with Sean Pronger and Tomas Sandstrom. Expect many combinations to pop up in the next few games.

“We need to find six chippers, guys who can chip a few [goals] in,” Page said. “We need to catch that deflection virus. It can be contagious.

“We’re trying to find some combos that will work. Maybe Mark’s toughness will rub off on Ted. Maybe Ted’s work ethic will help Mark. Right now, we don’t have to match Sandstrom with [Teemu] Selanne. We needed Sandstrom on the left before.”

Paul Kariya’s signing made that unnecessary.

“Before, we were changing lines around trying to make up for not having Paul,” Drury said. “It’s a little less crucial now. It’s just hockey.”

*

Defenseman Jason Marshall missed practice for the second day, as he returned from Canada after his grandfather’s death. He will play tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

TONIGHT

vs. Toronto

* 7:30

* Fox Sports

West 2

Site--Pond of Anaheim.

Radio--KRLA 1110, KCKC 1350.

Records--Ducks 12-15-6, Maple Leafs 10-16-5.

Record vs. Maple Leafs--0-0-2.

Update--The Ducks, who play four games in the next six days, received more good news. Whether it’s because of Paul Kariya’s return or the natural healing process, right wing Scott Young (bruised right foot), defenseman David Karpa (strained hamstring) and defenseman Ruslan Salei (broken bone in left foot) will play tonight. “We got the green light on all of them,” Coach Pierre Page said. “It’s nice to get some fresh troops.” Toronto has scored the second-fewest goals in the league (67) and has the second-worst power play.