Rucchin Likely Out Two Weeks

Center Steve Rucchin, who has already missed three games because of a stress fracture in his left ankle, doesn’t seem to be on a fast track to returning.

Duck officials said Rucchin will miss five-to-seven days and then would be listed as day-to-day. However, Rucchin, hobbling in a walking cast, said Saturday that he would likely be out another two weeks.

“It’s on the thick part of the bone, so that should make it heal quicker,” Rucchin said. “I don’t think it’s going to be a four-to-six week thing. It will be more like two weeks. I was told to stay off it until the pain subsided.”

If Rucchin does not return for two more weeks, he will miss another six games. The Ducks have always struggled without him, now and in the past. Rucchin, the team’s top center, missed 11 games because of an infected left ankle in 1999-2000, when the Ducks barely missed the playoffs. They were 2-7-2 without Rucchin.

Rucchin missed 66 of 82 games last season due to various injuries.

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With Rucchin sidelined, Coach Bryan Murray has altered his lines. The shuffling had right wing Marty McInnis centering the Ducks’ fourth line, between enforcers Denny Lambert and Kevin Sawyer.

McInnis has not scored a goal in his last eight games. He also missed two games because of a wrist injury.

“My wrist is fine,” McInnis said. “I’m counted on to score goals and I’m not scoring goals. I have to play better hockey, keep working and in time it will change.”

It nearly did Saturday in a 4-1 loss to the Washington Capitals. The Ducks had a five-on-three power play and McInnis had a rebound bounce to him in front of the net. Capital goalie Olaf Kolzig was out of position, but managed to throw his body back to the right and get a stick on McInnis’ shot.

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Right wing Jim Cummins, out 13 games with a torn muscle in his rib cage, returned to the Duck lineup Saturday.... Defenseman Drew Bannister, recalled from minor league Cincinnati, played his first game for the Ducks this season.