Selanne Is Planning to Play Wednesday

Teemu Selanne spent two days working with a physical therapist instead of skating with the Ducks, and he said Monday he feels like a new man.

“For three weeks, I was skating like a cow,” said Selanne, bothered by a strained right thigh since Nov. 11. “I’m so excited. I haven’t skated like this in a month. [Two days off] makes a huge difference. Unbelievable. I’m like a young stallion.”

Whoa, Teemu.

Does this mean he’ll be back in the lineup for Wednesday’s game against the Vancouver Canucks, the first in a six-game homestand at the Arrowhead Pond?

“Oh yeah, oh yeah,” Selanne said.

Selanne was sidelined for six games, played sluggishly in the next five and could not play in the Ducks’ 2-1 victory Sunday over the San Jose Sharks. But he participated in the team’s optional workout Monday and appeared to have regained his usual zip.

“He looked good out there,” Coach Craig Hartsburg said.

Paul Kariya, among those who did not practice, also appears to have his speed back after battling a groin strain last week.

“[Sunday] night, he seemed to be back to normal,” Hartsburg said of Kariya, who broke a three-game streak without a point with an assist on Marty McInnis’ game-winning goal midway through the third period. “His game is speed. He can make people back off and he can change a game.”

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Selanne and Hartsburg were looking forward to being home for a while. And it had nothing to do with Christmas shopping.

“This is going to be our time,” Selanne said. “I have a feeling we’re really going to take off right now.”

Said Hartsburg, “[Defeating San Jose] is a positive end to a trip we’re not happy with. Instead of lots of ill feelings about our play, we’re starting the homestand on a positive note.”