Leclerc Injury Brings Change

Coach Guy Charron will be forced to experiment with his line combinations for tonight’s game against the Nashville Predators.

Left wing Mike Leclerc will be sidelined because of an abdominal strain. Charron expects to move German Titov into Leclerc’s spot on the second line. Petr Tenkrat, who has been scratched the last several games, will fill Titov’s spot on the third line.

Leclerc did not practice Saturday, but is expected to join the team for a five-game trip that begins Tuesday against the Washington Capitals.

“It’s been nagging me for the last week or two,” said Leclerc, who has 15 goals and 35 points. “I took a big slap shot [late in the second period Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks] and right away it didn’t feel right. I tried to skate on my first shift in the third period and couldn’t take a stride.”

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Defenseman Ruslan Salei continues to make progress after missing almost two months because of post-concussion syndrome. He reported no headaches after practice. Charron expects Salei to be fit to play March 16 against the Ottawa Senators or March 18 against the Blackhawks.

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Center Steve Rucchin, sidelined by post-concussion syndrome since breaking his nose and cheekbone Nov. 15, has resumed light workouts in the gym. But Charron said it’s “far-fetched” to expect Rucchin back in the lineup this season.

TONIGHT

vs. Nashville, 5, Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Arrowhead Pond.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 21-35-8-5; Predators 28-32-8-2.

* Record vs. Predators--0-1-2.

* Update--The Ducks have won three consecutive for the first time since mid-December. Their last four-game winning streak was Dec. 12-19, 1999. Since the all-star break, the Ducks are 5-6-2-1, but remain last in the Western Conference. Paul Kariya has scored two goals in each of his last three games, a first in franchise history. He also has six goals and two assists during a four-game point streak. Jeff Friesen has four assists in his first two games as a Duck. Jean-Sebastien Giguere is 5-5-2 with a 2.30 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage in 12 starts since being named the team’s starting goalie for the rest of the season. The Ducks must win five of their final 13 games to match their lowest win total for a full season. They were 26-43-13 in 1997-98. Nashville, which defeated the Ducks, 3-0, Feb. 1, won at San Jose, 3-0, Saturday.

* Tickets--(714) 703-2545.