Acquisition of Olausson a ‘Steal’ and Then Some

Ron Low, Edmonton Oiler coach, knows precisely why the Ducks are Stanley Cup playoff contenders instead of also-rans this season. He told an Edmonton newspaper it’s because the Ducks added defenseman Fredrik Olausson, who signed as a free agent last summer from Pittsburgh.

“Freddie’s made a huge difference,” Low said of Olausson, a former Oiler. “Freddie looks like he’s 22 years old again. To my way of thinking, he’s been the biggest difference to that hockey club, period.”

Olausson, 32, hasn’t added to his 14-goal total in seven games, but two assists in Saturday’s 5-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks gave him 42 points.

He’s 20 shy of his career-high 62, set in 1988-89 and matched in 1991-92 with the Winnipeg Jets (now Phoenix Coyotes).

“The way he’s going right now, if you look at it in hindsight, ‘steal’ isn’t the right word,” Low said of the Ducks’ signing of Olausson. “He’s better than that.”

*

It looks as if a train, rather than a high stick, hit center Steve Rucchin in the nose last week. Rucchin has shiners under each eye and a couple of ugly stitches on his nose--all thanks to a broken beak suffered in a 6-2 loss Feb. 17 against Edmonton.

“I know I look bad, but I feel pretty good,” said Rucchin, who has been wearing a full visor. “It’s only going to be a few more games, then I’ll be better off when I get a half-visor.”

Tonight vs. San Jose, 7:30

Fox Sports West 2

* Site--Arrowhead Pond.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 25-25-9, Sharks 20-25-14.

* Record vs. Sharks--1-0-1.

* Update--Duck right wing Teemu Selanne needs two goals to reach 300. He has 298 goals in 462 games and could become the sixth fastest in league history to reach the 300-goal milestone. The Sharks don’t score much, but they don’t give up many goals either. Only Tampa Bay, with 119, has fewer goals than the Sharks’ 133. San Jose also has given up only 137 goals, third fewest in the Western Conference. Left wing Jeff Friesen leads the Sharks with 18 goals and 40 points.

* Tickets--(714) 740-2000.