No Telling How Long Rucchin Will Be Out

Center Steve Rucchin and defenseman Jason Marshall will sit out tonight’s key game against the St. Louis Blues.

Rucchin, who has missed the last six games because of a groin injury, skated after practice Tuesday, but said the injury still bothers him. Marshall, who Sunday was sent head-first into the boards by Phoenix’s Dallas Drake, was not at practice.

When they will play again was not something Coach Craig Hartsburg was willing to share.

“You don’t really talk about your injuries this time of year,” Hartsburg said. “You don’t want other teams to know your business.”

Rucchin has played in only one game since March 18 and said he wanted to have at least one practice behind him before playing in a game. That would probably rule him out for Thursday’s game against the Kings.

The Ducks finish the regular season Saturday at San Jose.

“We’ve been working hard on it, but, like a lot of guys can attest, it’s the type of injury that either heals quickly or it doesn’t,” Rucchin said. “I came back too early once and that didn’t help. I just have to keep working on it. I’ll play in the playoffs for certain.”

Less was known about Marshall’s injury, other than the team statement that he had his “bell rung,” Sunday.

Dan Trebil, who has been a healthy scratch since playing March 21 against Florida, will replace Marshall.

“I just have to keep it simple and play intense early,” Trebil said.

Other news was brighter for the Ducks.

Right wing Tomas Sandstrom has recovered from flu and practiced Tuesday. Reserve goalie Dominic Roussel, out two games because of back spasms, also practiced.

*

How important would Sandstrom be in the playoffs? In his career, he has 32 playoff goals. The rest of the Ducks have 35 combined. “It pretty much comes down to having the will to win [in the playoffs],” Sandstrom said. . . . Tonight is fan appreciation night with more than $20,000 in prizes being given away.

TONIGHT vs. St. Louis, 7:30 Fox Sports West 2

* Site--The Pond.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 35-32-12, Blues 34-32-13.

* Record vs. Blues--1-1-1.

* Update--The Western Conference’s fifth-place playoff spot is at stake. A Duck victory gives them a three-point lead over the Blues with two games remaining. A loss puts them one point behind the Blues. It’s the difference between opening the playoffs against Phoenix or two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit. The Blues had a five-game unbeaten streak snapped by Colorado on Sunday. Left wing Geoff Courtnall, out most of the season because of post-concussion syndrome, was cleared to practice last week and could play tonight. He led the Blues with 31 goals last season. The Blues’ Al MacInnis leads all NHL defensemen with 59 points. The Ducks’ Fredrik Olausson is fourth with 54 points. A Duck victory equals their season high, set in 1996-97.

* Tickets--(714) 740-2000 or (213) 940-2167.