Defense Needs No Defending

The paltry offensive output from the Ducks’ defensemen hasn’t concerned Coach Craig Hartsburg. Fredrik Olausson and Mike Crowley lead the defensive corps with two goals each. Olausson also has six assists.

“I don’t think we’re putting that responsibility [to score] on them,” Hartsburg said. “We never ask anyone to do something they’re not capable of doing. It’s like asking Paul [Kariya] or Teemu [Selanne] to fight. It’s not part of their game.

“We expect our defensemen to help move the puck and we expect them to get the puck to the forwards. We’re not asking them to jump into the play.”

Hartsburg, a former defenseman for the Minnesota North Stars, is pleased by the Ducks’ goals-against average this season, which is less than 2.5.

“The amount of goals we’ve given up is a lot closer to what we want, but I still think our offense could generate more,” Hartsburg said.

TONIGHT vs. Kings

5, Ch. 9

Site-- Arrowhead Pond.

Radio--XTRA (690), KRLA (1110).

Records--Ducks 10-11-6, Kings 8-17-3 .

Record vs. Kings--1-0.

Update--The Ducks are 2-1-1 in the first four games of a seven-game stretch against teams with losing records. The Kings were 3-12 without defenseman Rob Blake, who returned to the lineup Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks after being sidelined six weeks because of a broken foot.