Rucchin Uncertain After Practicing

Center Steve Rucchin participated in a full practice Thursday for the first time since contracting a staph infection in his left ankle Dec. 27 at Edmonton.

His return to the lineup is still uncertain, however. His ankle remains tender from the infection and skating is painful.

“Hopefully, it will get to the point soon where it’s going to be easier to keep my skate on for the 2 1/2 hours of the game,” he said.

Rucchin’s biggest concern after going through an hourlong workout at the Ducks’ Anaheim practice facility was that his timing was off and his passing suffered.

“I don’t think I ever put so many pucks into the guys’ skates [instead of passing to their sticks],” he said. “I don’t know how effective I’m going to be once I get back into a game.”

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Left wing Jim McKenzie, put on waivers Tuesday by the Ducks, was picked up by the Washington Capitals on Thursday. Washington will pay the remainder of his $625,000 salary this season.

McKenzie had three goals and three assists in 31 games, but he fell from favor because the coaches believed he had stopped playing the physical style they wanted.

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Russian rookies Maxim Balmochnykh and Vitaly Vishnevski earned a thumbs-up from Coach Craig Hartsburg after their NHL debuts in Wednesday’s 3-1 victory over the Dallas Stars.

Hartsburg figured they would handle themselves just fine on the ice, but what has impressed him most is their improved English since training camp in September.

“It’s something we take for granted, but they’ve done a good job of learning the language,” Hartsburg said. “Imagine if you had to go over there to work and had to learn Russian.”

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The Ducks will hold a charity skate-a-thon Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Arrowhead Pond. Players will be available to skate with fans. Information: (714) 940-2986.

TONIGHT

vs. Colorado

7:30, Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Arrowhead Pond.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 20-22-5-1, Avalanche 24-17-6-1.

* Record vs. Avalanche--1-1.

* Update--This is the first game between the teams since the Avalanche challenged the legality of the sticks of right wing Teemu Selanne and goalie Dominic Roussel and won. The Ducks cried foul after the game, claiming someone from the Avalanche organization had entered their dressing room in search of crooked sticks. The Ducks won the game, 4-2, Dec. 15 at Denver’s Pepsi Center. Center Joe Sakic was sidelined by flu for Colorado’s scoreless tie Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks at Denver.

* Tickets--(714) 740-2000.