Slack Must Be Picked Up With Kariya Sidelined

Hockey know-it-alls from Toronto to Torrance long ago labeled the Mighty Ducks a two-player team. That has hardly been the case this season, but why let the facts get in the way of a good story?

Mike Leclerc, Matt Cullen and Marty McInnis, who have formed the Ducks’ most productive line with 72 points this season, certainly will be asked to step up their play while left wing Paul Kariya is sidelined because of a broken right foot. Kariya was injured in Sunday’s 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning and is expected to be sidelined a month.

The Ducks’ other high-profile star, right wing Teemu Selanne, has been fighting a groin injury and hasn’t been 100% lately. Steve Rucchin, who centers the Kariya-Selanne line, continues to be sidelined by dizziness stemming from the broken nose and cheekbone he suffered Nov. 15.

Defensemen Oleg Tverdovsky and Vitaly Vishnevski also will be asked to continue to play to their strengths. Tverdovsky was tied for fifth among NHL defensemen with 22 points going into Tuesday’s games. Vishnevski had a league-leading 141 hits.

Goaltender Guy Hebert hasn’t been sharper this season than during an eight-game stretch in which he has a 5-2 record with a 1.95 goals-against average, a .930 save percentage and two shutouts.

“It’s unfortunate Paul Kariya was injured Sunday, but it doesn’t stop our operation,” Coach Guy Charron said. “Paul is one of the great players in the game, but success comes from the team. We don’t want to dwell on the fact that we won’t have Paul for four weeks.”

*

Kariya pulled out the crutches he used when he suffered a broken foot last season and hobbled around the Ducks’ training facility in Anaheim. He plans to keep fit by lifting weights and working out in a pool.

“I must have a target on my right foot,” he said, referring to suffering breaks while blocking shots in three consecutive seasons.

TONIGHT

vs. Atlanta, 7:30

* Site--Arrowhead Pond.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 13-15-4-3, Thrashers 12-13-6-1.

* Record vs. Thrashers (1999-2000)--1-0.

* Update--The Ducks have a three-game winning streak for the first time since March. They haven’t won four in a row since last December.

* Tickets--(714) 703-2545.