Groin Injury Sidelines Selanne
Coach Craig Hartsburg dropped a bombshell moments before the opening faceoff Monday against the Detroit Red Wings, scratching right wing Teemu Selanne because of a groin strain.
It wasn’t quite like waving a white flag before the Ducks’ 6-3 loss, but it was close. Selanne, who suffered the injury during Sunday’s practice, is the Ducks’ leading scorer with 21 points.
Selanne participated in the morning skate and was on the ice for the 20-minute pregame warmup. Mindful of a groin injury that sidelined him for seven games last season, he decided rest would be best.
“I felt close to being able to play tonight, but I told myself to be smart,” he said.
He said his status is day to day.
Hartsburg promoted right wing Ladislav Kohn to the top line to join left wing Paul Kariya and center Steve Rucchin.
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The Ducks also played most of the game without defenseman Kevin Haller, who suffered a sprained left knee in the first period. Haller, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on his right knee in September, will be reexamined by doctors today.
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