Injured Selanne Will Sit Tonight

Teemu Selanne, troubled because of a strained right thigh, will not play tonight against the San Jose Sharks. That’s especially bad news for the Ducks because Selanne has 28 goals and 23 assists in 28 games against the Sharks.

“We’re going to give him time to get better,” Coach Craig Hartsburg said after Selanne could not practice Saturday. “I’m not frustrated. We want our people to work up to our expectations when they’re in the lineup. If injuries are preventing that, then we need to know about it.”

Selanne, injured in a Nov. 11 game against the Carolina Hurricanes, has been unable to use his speed adequately. That much was clear when aging Chicago Blackhawk defenseman Chris Chelios caught Selanne from behind on a breakaway in the Ducks’ 4-1 loss Thursday.

“Nobody knows how badly a player is injured other than the player,” Hartsburg said. “I can’t tell. Our training staff can’t tell. The player has to let us know, and Teemu has made it known. He will not play [tonight].”

Hartsburg isn’t sure when Selanne might be fit to play again. Selanne was sidelined for six games, played the last five, but appeared to be no closer to full strength Thursday than when he first returned to the lineup Nov. 25 against the Detroit Red Wings.

TONIGHT at San Jose

7:30, Channel 9

Site--San Jose Arena.

Radio--XTRA (690).

Records--Ducks 8-11-5, Sharks 5-12-6.

Record vs. Sharks--0-0-1.

Update--The Ducks are 0-4-1 in their last five games and the Sharks are 1-3-1 in their last five. San Jose needed a two-goal rally in the third period to tie the Detroit Red Wings, 2-2, Friday. San Jose backup goalie Steve Shields is 1-2-3 in eight appearances, but has a 1.98 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage. Starter Mike Vernon is 14-4-3 with a 1.96 goals-against average in 21 games against the Ducks. So, either way the Ducks probably will have a tough time getting pucks into the Shark net.