Progress Is Next for Selanne

The puck danced tantalizingly close to the Montreal goal and bounced over Mighty Duck right wing Teemu Selanne’s stick. Monday’s 2-1 loss to the Canadiens had those types of moments for him.

Selanne missed a week because of a groin injury, and the layoff showed.

“It’s funny how fast you can lose it,” Selanne said. “I felt a little rusty out there. The bad news was, we lost. The good news was, I was able to play.”

Selanne did not look his usual slick self but, on the bright side, felt no problems physically afterward.

“I had a lot of chances, a couple on the power play,” said Selanne, who missed on six shots Monday. “That happens when you miss that much time. Hopefully, I’ll get it back just as fast.”

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Coach Craig Hartsburg used radical line combinations during Tuesday’s practice, including breaking up Selanne and Paul Kariya. Selanne, Steve Rucchin and Mike LeClerc were on the first line. Kariya, Antti Aalto and Ladislav Kohn teamed on the second line.

Other changes had center Matt Cullen on the third line and left wing Marty McInnis skating on the fourth.

“We have to find line combos that get individuals to use their skills the best,” Hartsburg said “You don’t score a lot of goals from 35-40 feet out. They look pretty when they happen, but those are not the important ones.”

TONIGHT

vs. New Jersey, 7:30

Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Arrowhead Pond.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 10-10-2-1, New Jersey 10-6-3-1.

* Record vs. Devils--0-1.

* Update--The Devils have received exceptional play from two rookies, center Scott Gomez and defenseman Brian Rafalski. Gomez leads all rookies with 21 points. Rafalski is tied for second among rookie defenseman with nine points.

* Tickets--(714) 740-2000.