Kariya Sluggishly Pursues Form

After two games back in the lineup following a six-week absence because of a broken right foot, left wing Paul Kariya has been held without a goal or an assist. He has four shots on net and averaged about 24 minutes of ice time.

“Back-to-back games after not playing for so long wasn’t the best way to come back, but by the time we got to the third period, I felt pretty good,” Kariya said, referring to the Ducks’ losses Saturday to the Columbus Blue Jackets and Friday to the Detroit Red Wings. “My foot feels fine.”

The Ducks, losers of five consecutive games and occupants of last place in the Western Conference, aren’t counting on Kariya to lead them back to respectability immediately.

“It’s great to have him back, but just because Paul’s back in the lineup doesn’t mean he’s going to be our savior,” Coach Guy Charron said. “It’s been a long layoff for him. As fit as he is, it’s different playing and bumping and grinding. It’s like training camp for him now.”

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Losing isn’t only taking its toll on the Ducks’ veteran players. Youngsters like goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere are starting to feel the weight of failure.

“We’re struggling right now,” he said. “Losing the lead in the third period [as the Ducks did against Columbus and Detroit]--that’s what happens when you don’t have any confidence.”

Charron admitted having some doubts about starting Giguere against Columbus because veteran Guy Hebert had been superb in making 34 saves Friday against the Red Wings and Giguere was shaky in a 5-0 loss Wednesday against the Minnesota Wild.

“J.S. is a young player with a lot of character,” Charron said of Giguere, 23. “The last game, he gave up five goals. It’s a tough call because you don’t know if he’ll come back with another shaky performance.”