McInnis Is Silver Lining While Selanne’s Out

Teemu Selanne may be sidelined with a strained thigh muscle, but Paul Kariya has managed to fill the void in his professional life with Marty McInnis.

McInnis has joined Kariya and Steve Rucchin since Selanne has been injured, and the Ducks’ top line has remained productive. McInnis has seven points in the six games since Selanne has been out.

Sunday, Kariya found a wide-open McInnis for a second-period goal. The two also had several near misses, including a Kariya no-look pass from behind the net that McInnis, charging, barely missed at the edge of the crease.

“I like right-handed shots,” Kariya said. “Marty is a lot like I am. We find empty spots to work in. That’s what the game is all about. It’s not one on one or even three on two out there. I enjoy playing with him.”

Good thing, because it may be more permanent than either realizes.

When Selanne returns--whenever that is--Coach Craig Hartsburg may leave McInnis where he is and use Selanne to beef up the second line.

“Paul and Marty seem to have found a chemistry,” Hartsburg said. “We’ll wait and make that decision when Teemu returns. But it’s important in this league to have two lines that connect offensively.”

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Kariya had two assists, giving him a nine-game scoring streak, the NHL’s longest current streak. Rucchin’s third-period goal gave him a seven-game streak, the longest of his career.

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The Ducks are 24-40-11 when either Kariya or Selanne do not play. However, they are 4-2 since Selanne was injured against Carolina on Nov. 11.