Hebert Ponders Olympic Option

Goaltender Guy Hebert is leaning toward joining the U.S. Olympic team for the Nagano Olympics in February.

He had expressed concern that he might miss the first few days of his first child’s life. But Madeline was born last week, four weeks premature but healthy.

“I’m thinking maybe things are going to work out and I can do both,” Hebert said. “I haven’t thought about it much because it’s been a hectic last few days. We’ll have a good chance to spend time together, then I might need a break from changing diapers by then.”

Hebert spent the holiday break mooning over his daughter.

“She’s just big enough to fit into my catching glove,” he said. “My wife says we should take a picture of her in the glove.”

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Coach Pierre Page scratched rookie forwards Matt Cullen and Jeremy Stevenson, not because they have played poorly but because he’s still trying to find “the right combination that pays off.”

“We’ve got to get moving,” Page said.

Ted Drury and Sean Pronger replaced them in the lineup.

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Page was pleased to be on the road after a disappointing 2-4 home stand at the Pond.

“It’s easier to play on the road than at home at this time of the year,” he said. “When you’re at home, there’s so much to do during the holidays. There are parties for the kids, parties for the relatives, parties for friends. There’s a thousand reasons distractions at home during the holidays. There’s none of that on the road.”

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San Jose goaltender Mike Vernon on the Ducks’ Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne: “They might be the best line in hockey just the two of them.”

TONIGHT

at

Chicago

* 5 PST

* Channel 9

Site--United Center.

Radio--KRLA 1110, KCKC 1350, KPLS 830.

Records--Ducks 13-18-7, Blackhawks 12-18-7.

Record vs. Blackhawks--0-1.

Update--The Ducks are 2-0-1 in their past three games at Chicago. The Ducks’ five-game unbeaten streak against Chicago ended in the Blackhawks’ 4-0 victory Nov. 19 at the Pond. Defenseman Chris Chelios scored his first goal of the season in the first game against the Ducks. He scored his second in Friday’s 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues. Chicago is 5-10-4 at home. Wingers Bob Probert (torn rotator cuff) and Ethan Moreau (broken ankle) and goaltender Chris Terreri (broken finger) are out indefinitely. Right wing Sergei Krivokrasov (sprained knee) and Cam Russell (strained shoulder) also are not expected to play.