Kariya, Selanne Get Needed Rest

Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne were among those told to stay away from the Ducks’ Anaheim practice facility Wednesday.

But Coach Craig Hartsburg was pleased to see a number of young players, including forwards Matt Cullen and Ladislav Kohn, take advantage of the ice time to improve their games.

“They’re all here trying to get better,” Hartsburg said. “Right now, we’re going to need everybody’s best hockey.”

Wednesday was Day 3 in the Ducks’ five-day layoff before facing the Kings on Saturday at Staples Center. Everyone is expected on the ice today and Friday.

Of the absence of Kariya and Selanne for Wednesday’s optional practice, Hartsburg said:

“Paul and Teemu have played a lot of hockey the last two weeks. Teemu knows when to rest. Paul is such a driven guy that he needs to take a step back mentally as much as anything. With the schedule we’ve had, it’s crazy not to take some rest.”

A 4-3 overtime victory Sunday against the Phoenix Coyotes was the Ducks’ eighth game in 13 nights. Kariya played 31 minutes 10 seconds in the game, well above his season average of about 25 minutes.

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The Ducks have only five games remaining in the regular season, but Kariya said Tuesday it doesn’t pay to look beyond Saturday’s game against the Kings. “It never pays to look ahead,” he said.

Kariya also said he had no plans to watch games Wednesday involving the four teams the Ducks are battling for a Western Conference playoff spot.

“It will work itself out,” he said. “If we take care of our business, we won’t have to worry about it.”

Asked about the competitive Western Conference, Kariya said, “It’s felt like the playoffs all year long. Every game has been a must-win situation.”

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Hartsburg hopes left wing Marty McInnis will be fit enough to play Saturday. McInnis, battling a nagging groin injury since late January, did not skate Wednesday. He is expected to skate today and Friday, and if that goes well, he could be in the lineup.

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Defenseman Pavel Trnka has resumed workouts in the gym, but a sprained left ankle is expected to keep him off the ice for at least three more weeks. It means he could miss the rest of the season.

Trnka was injured when San Jose’s Owen Nolan collided with him in the Ducks’ 4-2 victory March 17.

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Playoff tickets will go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. at the Arrowhead Pond, at all Southern California TicketMaster locations or by calling (714) 703-2545 or (213) 480-3232.