Slump Is Not Cause for Concern

Winless in seven games and mired in last place in the Pacific Division, the Mighty Ducks say they know what will cure their recent woes.

“A couple of wins and we’ll be fine,” Coach Craig Hartsburg said.

The Ducks are 0-6-1 and have been outscored, 28-14, since defeating the San Jose Sharks, 1-0, Dec. 26. But unlike victories, optimism is in great supply in Anaheim.

“Our team is sticking together,” Hartsburg said. “We’ve done a good job of not letting anything bother us. Nobody is pointing fingers or making excuses. We still believe we will be fine.”

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As expected, the Ducks hired former Chicago Blackhawk general manager Bob Murray as a scouting consultant. Murray was fired by Chicago earlier this season.

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Hartsburg intends to play struggling defenseman Ruslan Salei tonight against the St. Louis Blues. Salei, who has been battling a nagging injury to his left foot since training camp, was scratched for the first time this season Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators.

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Center Antti Aalto received medical clearance to play tonight. Aalto has been sidelined since spraining his left elbow Dec. 4. The Ducks returned center Johan Davidsson to Cincinnati of the American Hockey League to make room on the roster for Aalto. . . . Center Steve Rucchin skated lightly on his own for the second consecutive day but will be sidelined for his seventh game because of a staph infection in his left ankle. . . . Left wing Paul Kariya was ill and did not attend practice. Hartsburg expects Kariya to play tonight.

TONIGHT

vs. St. Louis, 7:30

Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Arrowhead Pond.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 18-20-5-1, Blues 27-11-6-0.

* Record vs. Blues (1998-99)--1-2-1.

* Update--Include the Blues among this season’s biggest surprises. With Thursday’s victory over the Kings, St. Louis passed Detroit for the Central Division lead and has a 6-0-2 unbeaten streak. Tonight’s game is the third in four nights for the Blues.

* Tickets--(714) 740-2000.