Kariya Still Patient on Offense

Paul Kariya had a goal and an assist and Teemu Selanne had two assists in the Ducks’ 4-0 victory Sunday over the Kings, the first time each had multiple-point games in more than a month.

Their inability to click as effectively as in previous seasons is one of many reasons the Ducks are mired in 11th place in the Western Conference standings.

Kariya has 10 goals and 26 points and Selanne 11 goals and 26 points, neither ranking among the NHL’s leaders in either category.

“Obviously, if I was playing better offensively, we would be at least a .500 team right now,” Kariya said. “I’ve never been big on stats. You can just make a so-so pass and somebody makes a great goal and you get a point. Other nights, you will get nine shots and get nothing. The offense will come. What we have to do is play well defensively, do the job in our own end and that will create offensive opportunities.”

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Steve Rucchin could be fit to play tonight against the St. Louis Blues, but a better guess is that he will return Wednesday against the expansion Columbus Blue Jackets. He has been sidelined since suffering a broken nose and cheekbone when he was struck by Selanne’s deflected slap shot Nov. 15 against the Colorado Avalanche.

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With Rucchin out, left wing Mike Leclerc has filled in as the man in the middle on the power play. Leclerc has made the most of his chances the last two games, scoring twice on deflections.

“Coach is giving me a big opportunity,” Leclerc said, referring to Craig Hartsburg. “It’s a big responsibility. I think it was obvious what the team needed at this position. I think they also were waiting to see what I was going to give.”

TONIGHT

at St. Louis, 5 PST

Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Savvis Center.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 9-12-4-3, Blues 17-4-3-0.

* Record vs. Blues--0-1.

* Update--The Blues have 10 home victories but trail the league-leading Avalanche, which has 12.