Trainer 100% Certain Selanne Will Play

Teemu Selanne was coy about it, but Coach Pierre Page asked trainer Greg Smith what the odds were that the NHL’s leading goal scorer would play tonight. Smith said, “100%”

“It’s a secret,” said Selanne, who has missed the last five games because of strained abdominal muscles. “Nobody knows. Not even myself.”

Travis Green, sidelined for five games because of a groin injury, is probably a longshot to play. A decision on both players will be made shortly before the opening faceoff.

Selanne and Green participated in all of the drills during Saturday’s practice.

The Ducks have missed their offensive skills, going 128 minutes 1 second without a goal. Selanne leads the league with 41 goals. Green, acquired Feb. 6 in a six-player trade with the New York Islanders, has 15.

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The playoffs begin in April, but not for the Ducks.

“[Tonight] is the first game of our playoffs,” said Page, who has broken the season’s final 21 games into three playoff series for the Ducks. “We’ve talked to the players about adopting the mentality of playoff hockey. You saw our practice. Everyone was all pumped up. We’ve got to keep up our intensity. . . . We just need to make better decisions.”

Page made a similar challenge last season to the Calgary Flames during a difficult seven-game trip. The Flames responded by going 3-3-1, including tying “Game 7” against the Ducks, 2-2, in Anaheim.

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Right wing Jeff Nielsen, sidelined because of a broken left leg since Jan. 27, has resumed skating and expects to begin practicing with teammates this week.

TONIGHT

vs. Carolina

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Site--Arrowhead Pond.

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

Records--Ducks 20-32-9, Hurricanes 24-30-7.

Record vs. Hurricanes--0-1.

Update--The Ducks have had only one player--Steve Rucchin--in the lineup with 10 or more goals in the five games without Selanne, Green and Paul Kariya, who remains sidelined by post-concussion syndrome. The Ducks have been outscored, 16-8, and are 1-4 in the last five games. Carolina has won three of four so far on a five-game trip. Right wing Sami Kapanen leads the Hurricanes with 21 goals and 48 points. Former Ducks Stu Grimson and Sean Hill play key roles for Carolina. The intimidating Grimson is the Hurricanes’ leader in penalty minutes with 166.