Giguere Given Chance to Play, Build Momentum

The goalie shuffle continues.

Guy Hebert is out for tonight’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes and Jean-Sebastien Giguere is in.

“If one was to play well and find a way to win, you might see him in the lineup for more than one game,” Coach Guy Charron said.

Hebert was sharp at times in the Ducks’ 4-3 loss Friday against the Washington Capitals, but his winless streak reached 13 games (0-11-2). Giguere was solid during most of the Ducks’ 3-2 loss Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks, but fell to 2-7 with a 3.03 goals-against average and an .884 save percentage.

“We’re in a situation where we have an opportunity to play him,” Charron said of the 23-year-old Giguere, a former first-round draft choice of the Carolina organization.

“The playoffs are pretty much out of reach at this point. It might be different if we were in the playoff picture. He has played well. Obviously, we’d like to see him win. If we felt he was losing confidence, we might take some games from him and give Guy more.”

*

The Ducks kept left wing Mike Leclerc off the ice Saturday because he suffered a mild groin strain Friday. Leclerc is expected to play tonight. Friday’s game was his second since he returned from a six-week layoff because of damaged knee cartilage.

“It was probably smart to rest it,” said Leclerc, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Jan. 16. “I had two practices after six weeks off before I started playing and it’s taken a toll.”

*

Defenseman Ruslan Salei hoped to play tonight, but he didn’t practice Saturday and his participation appeared unlikely, according to Charron. Salei has been sidelined by post-concussion syndrome for the last eight games.

TONIGHT

vs. Carolina

5, Channel 9

* Site--Arrowhead Pond.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 16-31-6-4, Hurricanes 24-21-6-2.

* Record vs. Hurricanes--0-1.

* Update--Carolina will be without winger Martin Gelinas, who suffered a concussion and a knee injury in the Hurricanes’ loss Thursday against the Kings. Arturs Irbe, who shut out the Ducks in the first game between the teams Jan. 14, will be in goal tonight for Carolina. Irbe started 40 consecutive games before yielding to Tyler Moss for the King game. Irbe is 23-18-6 with a 2.39 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage in 49 appearances. Only Edmonton’s Tommy Salo, with 50 games, has played more than Irbe this season.

* Tickets--(714) 703-2545.