Sandstrom’s Spot Not Easily Filled

The Ducks will have a difficult time replacing right wing Tomas Sandstrom, who is expected to be sidelined at least a month because of a broken left wrist.

But Coach Craig Hartsburg has a few ideas, starting with moving energetic winger Jeff Nielsen into Sandstrom’s spot on the second line for Wednesday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Sandstrom was injured when he was checked into the boards by Kirk Maltby of the Detroit Red Wings in the second period of the Ducks’ 3-2 loss Sunday.

“We’ll experiment in practice and we’ll see,” Hartsburg said. “I might change a couple of lines around.”

Expect to see center Matt Cullen back in the lineup after having been scratched the last two games. Perhaps center Travis Green will move to the wing.

Hartsburg may also try splitting up wingers Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne to spread the scoring potential around.

“It all depends on how things go,” Hartsburg said. “We’ve got to get two good offensive lines again.”

Kariya and Selanne lead the Ducks with six goals apiece. Sandstrom has five. No other Duck has more than two.