Titov Hurting, but Rucchin Returns

German Titov is out and Steve Rucchin is in as a revolving door continues to spin the Ducks’ top-line centers around and around.

The good news for the team is that Titov probably will miss only tonight’s game against the Buffalo Sabres because of a bruised chest he suffered near the end of Tuesday’s 4-3 victory against the New York Islanders.

When he returns, the Ducks will have a healthy group of centers for the first time this season. Titov and Matt Cullen have filled in on the top line since Rucchin was injured Sept. 22.

The better news is that Rucchin is fit to play again after sitting out four weeks because of a broken bone in his left hand. He will play between customary linemates Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne tonight.

“I’m very excited,” said Rucchin, who was injured when he jammed his hand against another player during a collision in an exhibition game against the Kings.

“I’ve been pretty bored the last few weeks. Hopefully, I won’t be too many steps behind everybody else.”

Rucchin, the Ducks’ third-leading scorer last season with 57 points, said he’s not concerned about re-injuring his hand. He will wear a plastic brace to steady his hand and extra padding in his glove to protect it.

However, don’t be surprised if Kariya takes more than his usual share of faceoffs tonight.

“Obviously, that’s where the most torque on the hand is,” Rucchin said of taking draws. “Maybe I’ll take some and maybe I won’t. There’s going to be pain. It’s going to take some time getting used to the punishment and grind of playing hockey.”

The Ducks were 3-2-0-1 in six games without Rucchin. Last season, they went into a 2-7-2 tailspin when he was sidelined for 11 games because of an infected left ankle.

“I think we did a pretty good job without ‘Rooch’ in the lineup this time,” Selanne said.

Added Coach Craig Hartsburg: “If you’re going to be a good team, you’ve got to be able to withstand injuries in the short term. Other people stepped up. Other people played really well.”

Titov, who played between Kariya and Selanne in the Ducks’ victories against the Islanders and Rangers, doesn’t believe his chest injury is anything serious. Islander defenseman Kevin Haller, a former Duck, checked Titov hard late in the game.

“My chest is just a little sore,” he said. “It’s just a little bruise below the collarbone. Maybe a couple of games and I’ll be back. I hope I’ll even play Saturday against Philly.”

*

Dominic Roussel will start in goal tonight against Buffalo and Guy Hebert will face Philadelphia on Saturday, the same rotation Hartsburg used in the victories Monday against the Rangers and Tuesday against the Islanders.

TONIGHT

at Buffalo, 4 PDT

* Site--HSBC Arena.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 3-2-0-1, Sabres 2-3.

* Record vs. Sabres (1999-2000)--0-1-1.

* Update--The Sabres have lost three in a row. Defenseman Alexei Zhitnik has been suspended for four games for a high-sticking incident Tuesday against Montreal. Captain Michael Peca remains unsigned. Coach Lindy Ruff is unhappy because the team has averaged more than 20 penalty minutes per game.