Hebert Stays Hot, Roussel Remains Seated

Coach Craig Hartsburg had hoped to give backup goalie Dominic Roussel at least one start this week. But that was before Guy Hebert had consecutive shutouts against the Washington Capitals and the Kings.

Now, Hartsburg isn’t sure he’ll stick with his plan.

“I’m not going to take a guy out when he’s playing unbelievable,” Hartsburg said of Hebert, who has a career-best shutout streak of 135 minutes 53 seconds. “It’s very important for our team to know we’re going to get good goaltending. I thought we did a great job [in Sunday’s 3-0 victory over the Kings] of giving up one shot and clearing away the rebound.”

Hebert’s shutout Sunday was his fourth this season, which tied his career high. It also was the 20th of his career.

“Guy has been like a wall in there,” Teemu Selanne said. “It’s a huge help to us when he’s playing so well.”

Look for Hebert to start Wednesday against the expansion Nashville Predators and probably Friday against the New York Islanders. Roussel is expected to start either Dec. 21 or 22 as the Ducks first host, then play the Colorado Avalanche at Denver.

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Selanne has two goals and two assists in the last three games. Paul Kariya has a goal and five assists in the last four. Steve Rucchin has two goals and three assists in the last six.

But Kariya believes there is room for improvement.

“I don’t think our team is that good,” he said. “I don’t think our line is that good. We’ve got a long ways to go.”

Selanne, though, is encouraged by the Ducks’ 3-0-1 streak.

“Hopefully, we’re like a snowball going downhill now,” he said.

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The Ducks are 8-3-3 at home, but only 3-8-3 on the road this season. Their power play has scored on 16 of 69 chances with the man advantage at home. On the road, they have clicked on only nine of 71 power-play opportunities.

“I don’t want to get into that home-road thing,” Hartsburg said. “It’s not a home-road situation. It’s just happened that we’ve played well at home.”