Kariya Taking His Shots

Although captain Paul Kariya has scored only one goal in his last 15 games, he has been shooting the puck as much as ever. Over the span, Kariya has launched 48 shots and recorded 14 assists.

“Paul is not a passer, he’s a shooter,” Coach Mike Babcock said about Kariya, who leads the Ducks with 78 points. “We just have to convince him of that.... He can make great plays, there’s no question about that. I just would like him to make some passes right off the goal into the net.”

The Ducks are 13-1-2-1 in the last 17 games that Kariya has scored a point.

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After tonight’s game at Nashville, the Ducks will finish the regular season against Dallas and Colorado, two teams they might face in the first round of the playoffs.

“The biggest question I have here is, are we mentally tough enough to make the physical commitment?” Babcock said.

TONIGHT

at Nashville, 5 PST

Site -- Gaylord Entertainment Center.

Radio -- KPLS (830).

Records -- Ducks 39-26-9-5, Predators 27-33-13-6.

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

Update -- Duck defenseman Ruslan Salei, who has missed three weeks with a bulging disk in his back, will return to the lineup tonight.