McInnis Wants to Play

Left wing Marty McInnis, who has been sidelined for 20 of the last 27 games because of a groin injury, practiced Tuesday. McInnis, who has 10 goals and 28 points in 57 games, isn’t expected to practice today, but said he will try again Thursday.

“I felt pretty good,” he said. “It’s pretty much the same. It’s day to day.”

McInnis could be a valuable addition for the Ducks, who are two points out of a Western Conference playoff spot with five games left.

“There’s no sense not trying it now,” McInnis said. “We’re only two points out and I have all summer to rest.”

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Five days without a game after playing eight games in 13 nights is a head-scratcher, but the Ducks said they needed a break. Captain Paul Kariya was not concerned about getting rusty between now and Saturday’s critical game against the Kings.

“At this point, I don’t think it’s going to be a problem,” he said. “I think the more important thing is to get some rest.”

Asked about the scheduling, Kariya said, “Eight games in 13 nights is just unbelievable. I don’t know how that works.”

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The remote control will be working overtime in Coach Craig Hartsburg’s house tonight. It’s the only way to keep track of four games involving the Ducks’ four playoff rivals.

San Jose plays the Kings at Staples Center. Edmonton is at Colorado. Phoenix is at Atlanta. And Vancouver is at Detroit.

“Whoever loses, that’s who we’re rooting against more,” Hartsburg said. “It changes every day, though.”