Time Catches Up With Olausson

Defenseman Fredrik Olausson returned to the Duck lineup Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. He did not play in Monday’s 3-1 victory over the Nashville Predators because of flu-like symptoms.

Asked how he felt after Wednesday’s morning skate, Olausson said, “Marvelous. Like the boxer.”

“Marvelous” Marvin Hagler?

Isn’t that a dated reference, Fredrik?

“Well, I’m getting old,” Olausson said, chuckling.

Olausson, 33, was on the ice for four of Chicago’s five goals in the Ducks’ 5-2 loss. He logged 20 minutes 46 seconds of ice time.

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Coach Craig Hartsburg made a couple of minor tweaks to the rest of the lineup, playing rugged winger Ed Ward instead of Jeff Nielsen on the fourth line.

Hartsburg said he was not concerned about the Blackhawks’ reputation for thuggery. He wanted to play his best against Chicago’s best Wednesday.

“I’m not worried about that from them,” Hartsburg said, responding to a question about Chicago’s physical play. “We have to skate. That’s our game. Maybe in January you would dress a different lineup. Right now, we have to play to their strengths.”

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Chicago will miss the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third consecutive season after advancing to the postseason for 28 straight seasons.

“I think they’ve gone through the worst of their times and they’re on the upswing now,” said Hartsburg, who coached the Blackhawks for three seasons until he was fired after the playoff streak ended in 1998. “It’s taken them a few years to move on. . . . They’re playing hard now. They’re trying to build for next year.”

Said Duck captain Paul Kariya of the Blackhawks: “They have nothing to lose.”

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Here’s a statistic to ponder over breakfast:

The Ducks were 8-1-2 in their last 11 against the Kings and lost, 2-1, Saturday at Staples Center, and they were 8-1-1 against the Blackhawks before losing, 5-2, Wednesday at the United Center.

Nashville is up next for the Ducks, who are 5-2 against the Predators.