Infection Sidelines Rucchin

Tests indicated center Steve Rucchin has an infection, which is responsible for the swelling in his left ankle. A bruise caused by a shot off his skate boot in Monday’s 4-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers compounded the problem, according to Coach Craig Hartsburg.

The good news for the Ducks is that Rucchin did not suffer a fracture or ligament or tendon damage. A blister caused the infection.

Rucchin, the Ducks’ third-leading scorer with 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists), is expected to be sidelined for about a week.

“It was a strange thing when he showed up [Tuesday] morning with all the swelling,” Hartsburg said. “It’s more from the infection than from the bruise.”

Hartsburg shuffled his lines to start the Ducks’ New Year’s Eve game against the Dallas Stars. The biggest change was the breakup of wingers Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne.

Kariya, Ted Donato and Marty McInnis formed the first line. Mike Leclerc, Tony Hrkac and Selanne skated on the second line.

“He’s a tough guy to replace,” Hartsburg said of Rucchin. “Obviously, because of his ice time at key points of the game, he’s a key figure for us.”

Rucchin leads the NHL in faceoffs taken, 1,018, and won, 560.

“[Rucchin] is an important guy for our team,” Hartsburg said. “He fits so well with those guys [Kariya and Selanne]. Look around the league and it’s hard to find teams with two great centers. We’re trying to build that with Antti Aalto and Matt Cullen. They’ve come on and made huge strides. When we’re healthy, we have some depth at center with Aalto, Cullen and Tony Hrkac.”

Aalto, however, has been sidelined by a sprained left elbow since Dec. 4. Hartsburg indicated it might be a while before Aalto can play.

The Ducks may summon center Johan Davidsson from Cincinnati of the American Hockey League next week if Rucchin’s infection lingers longer than expected.