As the Injury List Grows, so Does the Winless Streak

The Ducks have lost four in a row, are winless in five and are 1-8-2-1 since captain Paul Kariya suffered a broken right foot blocking a shot in the team’s 3-1 victory Dec. 17 over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Kariya skated for 30 minutes Tuesday in Anaheim, which was longer than expected, according to a team spokesman. Kariya plans to go for another 30-minute skate today.

Left wing Mike Leclerc joined Kariya but cut his workout short when his sore right knee troubled him. Leclerc, who was injured Dec. 28, is scheduled to undergo exploratory arthroscopic surgery today. There is no timetable for his return to the ice.

Defenseman Niclas Havelid, who sprained his right knee in the first period Monday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, returned to Orange County and will have an MRI exam today.

Center Steve Rucchin continues to suffer from post-concussion syndrome, but right wing Teemu Selanne believes it will only be a matter of time before Rucchin is fit again. Rucchin suffered a concussion when he broke his nose and cheekbone Nov. 15.

“I believe ‘Rooch’ might be close,” Selanne said. “I was talking to him before we left and he said he’s getting better and better.”

*

Selanne is not a happy man.

“I’m sick and tired of losing,” he said. “It’s been miserable. You hate the losing and that’s good. When you accept losing, you should get ready to retire. The good thing is the guys are really mad. It’s frustrating. It’s tough. You always want to tell the guys, ‘Whatever happens, let’s try to enjoy this [playing in the NHL].’ But winning is everything. When you don’t win, it’s tough to keep your spirits up.”

TONIGHT

at Atlanta

4:30 PST, Channel 9

* Site--Phillips Arena.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 14-23-6-4, Thrashers 15-20-8-1.

* Record vs. Thrashers--0-1.

* Update--The Thrashers also will be without two-thirds of their top line. Leading scorer Donald Audette, who has 22 goals and 53 points, is serving a four-game suspension and third-leading scorer Andrew Brunette (10 goals, 40 points) has a concussion. Jean-Sebastien Giguere will start in goal for the Ducks. He is winless in three starts for the Ducks, but was 12-7-2 in the minors.