Taking a Seat Tough for Rucchin

The Ducks are 0-4-1 since Steve Rucchin, their top-line center, left the lineup Dec. 27 because of a staph infection in his left ankle.

The Ducks have been outscored, 22-13, while Rucchin has been sidelined. They have dropped from among the top eight teams in the Western Conference standings and, with an 18-19-5-1 record, are below .500 for the first time since Nov. 24.

“It’s tough watching on TV or listening on the radio,” said Rucchin, who will be sidelined for his sixth consecutive game tonight, when the Ducks play host to the Ottawa Senators.

“It’s frustrating. It’s not that I think I could have made so much of a difference. I just felt so awful for the guys.”

*

Coach Craig Hartsburg put the Ducks through a two-hour practice Monday, devoting considerable attention to the power play and penalty killing. Tuesday, the Ducks rested.

“We’ll get our minds and bodies rested up for [tonight’s game against Ottawa],” Hartsburg said.

Referring to the Ducks’ 0-5-1 winless streak, he then added, “There’s no sense looking back. We’ll just move ahead.”

TONIGHT

vs. Ottawa

7:30, Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Arrowhead Pond.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 18-19-5-1, Senators 22-14-6-2.

* Record vs. Senators--0-1.

* Update--Ottawa is winless at the Pond, having gone 0-3-2. The New York Rangers, with a 0-5 record there, are the only other NHL team without a victory at Anaheim. The Senators ended a 0-6-3 winless streak against the Ducks with a 4-2 victory Nov. 13 at Ottawa.

* Tickets--(714) 740-2000.