Cullen Returns to First Line

Center Matt Cullen, who sat out Friday’s practice because of a groin strain, skated without pain Saturday and will be in the lineup tonight against the Edmonton Oilers. He also will be back between all-star wingers Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne.

Mighty Duck Coach Craig Hartsburg dropped Cullen from the first line to the second, promoting Steve Rucchin for Wednesday’s 3-3 tie against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Hartsburg wanted Rucchin to face the bigger Flyer forwards, among them Eric Lindros. Cullen ended up injuring himself while chasing a loose puck in the first period Wednesday.

“We’ve put him there,” Hartsburg said of playing Cullen between Kariya and Selanne this season. “But we’re also going to yank him out of there sometimes, like we did against Philadelphia.”

Cullen has three goals and nine points and is the Ducks’ fourth-leading scorer.

“I think our team has played basically the same,” Hartsburg said. “We’ve had good spurts and spurts where we haven’t been that good. Cullen has been just like our team.”

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Oleg Tverdovsky and Pavel Trnka, who form a youthful defense pairing, struggled Wednesday to contain the bruising Flyer forwards.

“If they come back and play well against Edmonton it will be a great sign for us,” Hartsburg said. “They didn’t have a good game against Philadelphia, but they have been our most consistent pair. Now, let’s see them bounce back.”

Tonight

vs. Edmonton

5, Channel 9

* Site--Arrowhead Pond.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 6-6-2-1, Oilers 4-6-3-2.

* Record vs. Oilers (1998-99)--2-3.

* Update--Guy Hebert will start in goal for the Ducks, who will play the final game of a six-game homestand. The Ducks begin a four-game trip Tuesday at Toronto. Edmonton tied a franchise record with only 11 shots on net in a 2-1 loss Friday against the St. Louis Blues. The Oilers said Friday they will be without left wing Rem Murray for up to three months because of a sprained right knee.

* Tickets--(714) 740-2000.