Kjellberg Is Ready to Step Front and Center

If Mighty Duck center Steve Rucchin is unable to play tonight against San Jose because of a left ankle injury, Patric Kjellberg will likely get a chance to skate on a line with Paul Kariya and Jeff Friesen.

Coach Bryan Murray had Kjellberg, who was picked up in a trade with Nashville earlier this month, working with the Ducks’ No. 1 line in place of Rucchin in Tuesday’s practice.

Rucchin, who left Sunday’s game against Dallas immediately after blocking a third-period shot, did not work out on Tuesday. Although X-rays of the injury were negative, Rucchin is experiencing a great deal of swelling.

“It’s just a matter of when he’s comfortable, but today he was limping pretty good,” Murray said about Rucchin, who has four goals and 11 points.

Kjellberg, who has scored only one goal in 17 games with the Ducks and Predators, said he’ll be ready if he’s put on the top line.

“I’m going to try and keep up with them,” Kjellberg said. “I’m going to play my game, but I will also try and fit into their game. You always have to adjust a little bit around who you are playing with.

“The key will be to make some space for them.... They are two fast players and hopefully we can use that to our advantage.”

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Forward Dan Bylsma has four goals in nine shots for a .444 shooting percentage, which leads the NHL among players with at least six shots.... Jean-Sebastien Giguere is fourth in the league with a 1.87 goals-against average.

TONIGHT

vs. San Jose, 7:30 Fox Sports Net 2

Site--Arrowhead Pond.

Radio--XTRA (690).

Records--Ducks 6-8-3-0, Sharks 8-4-4-2.

Record vs. Sharks--0-1-0-0.

Update--The Pacific Division-leading Sharks defeated the Ducks, 4-2, at the Pond on Oct. 31. Steve Shields will get his second consecutive start in goal for the Ducks, who are playing the final game of an eight-game homestand, the team’s longest of the season.

Tickets--(877) 945-3946.