Injury Still Slowing Selanne

Right wing Teemu Selanne backed away Thursday from his promise a day earlier to play tonight against the New York Rangers.

“I’m close, I’m very close,” said Selanne, who sat out Wednesday’s 5-4 overtime victory against the expansion Columbus Blue Jackets because of a groin injury.

Thursday was his first full-speed practice since he injured himself in the third period of Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Dallas.

“When I started to get tired, I felt it,” said Selanne, who has been held without a goal in nine consecutive games. “We’ll see. This was my first time skating fast.”

*

Center Steve Rucchin won’t play tonight. He underwent a procedure to drain fluid from his sinuses Thursday. Rucchin has played only two games since suffering a broken nose and cheekbone when Selanne’s deflected slap shot struck him Nov. 15.

Rucchin, who also missed the season’s first six games because of a broken left hand, complained of lightheadedness while on the ice.

vs.

New York Rangers

7:30,

Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Arrowhead Pond.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 11-15-4-3, Rangers 15-16-1-0.

* Record vs. Rangers--1-0.

* Update--The Rangers, who played the Kings on Thursday at Staples Center, are 1-5 in Anaheim and 3-8-1 overall against the Ducks. The Ducks defeated the Rangers, 4-3, Oct. 16 at Madison Square Garden. The Ducks haven’t won consecutive games since defeating Phoenix and the New York Islanders on Oct. 18-19.

* Tickets--(714) 703-2545.