Rucchin Goes Back on the Main Line

Center Steve Rucchin returned to his familiar spot, joining all-star wingers Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne on the Ducks’ top line Wednesday against the New York Islanders.

Marty McInnis dropped to the second line, playing with center Tony Hrkac and right wing Maxim Balmochnykh. McInnis was one of several players who filled in on the top line while Rucchin was sidelined for 11 games by a staph infection.

“This is a huge game for us,” Coach Craig Hartsburg said after Wednesday’s morning skate. “We want to put our veteran guys in the best positions to help us win.”

Rucchin began Saturday’s game against the San Jose Sharks between Hrkac and Balmochnykh, but was centering the Kariya-Selanne line by the third period.

The Ducks scored twice in the third period to tie the Sharks, 3-3, but later gave up a power-play goal and lost, 4-3. Rucchin had an assist in his first game since the onset of the infection Dec. 27.

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Vitaly Vishnevski, a rookie defenseman, was scratched for the first time since his recall Jan. 18 from Cincinnati of the American Hockey League. Hartsburg said he wanted a more veteran defense corps against the Islanders, last in the NHL with 29 points going into the game.

Fredrik Olausson, who did not play against San Jose, returned to the lineup for his 899th NHL game.

Asked about Vishnevski’s tough but legal hits in open ice against the Dallas Stars’ Brett Hull and the Colorado Avalanche’s Peter Forsberg last week, Hartsburg said:

“First of all, you have to be very good to do those things. You don’t make those big body checks unless your timing is very good. What’s really impressive is his poise. When he’s in a situation against good players, he’s not easily rattled.”