McDonald Sidelined by More Headaches

The Mighty Ducks could be without center Andy McDonald for an extended amount of time, as he is showing signs of post-concussion syndrome.

McDonald sat out seven games because of a concussion in January, but he had played three consecutive games before sitting out Friday with headaches.

He was at the Ducks’ practice facility Saturday but did not work out with the team. He declined an interview request because he was feeling too ill to carry on a conversation.

“He has had a relapse and we don’t know why,” Coach Mike Babcock said. “We have no information and that’s the scary part of this. It is not so much the headaches, as he’s not feeling himself.”

This is the second concussion for McDonald, sidelined for three games because of one last season. Losing McDonald creates a hole in the Duck lineup. He has 10 goals and 21 points. His line is the team’s most energetic.

“If you’re skating with Andy, you better be going full speed or you’re going backward,” Babcock said.

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Stanislav Chistov became the third rookie to score at least 10 goals for the Mighty Ducks. Paul Kariya holds the team record with 18 in 1994-95, a season that was limited to 48 games because of a lockout. Patrik Carnback had 12 goals as a rookie in 1993-94.

Kariya holds the rookie record for points with 39. Chistov has 21 points.

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Left wing Mike Leclerc received a day off Saturday. He had played three games in four nights after missing one game with a sore knee. Babcock said he would play tonight against Carolina.

TONIGHT

vs. Carolina, 5, Channel 9

Site -- Arrowhead Pond.

Radio -- KPLS (830).

Records -- Ducks 24-19-7-4, Hurricanes 17-27-6-5.

Record vs. Hurricanes (2001-02) -- 0-1-0-0.

Update -- Carolina has a 2-15-1-2 record in its last 20 games. Still, Babcock said he was sure no one was going to take the game lightly. “The reality is, every day is life and death for us,” Babcock said.

Tickets -- (877) 945-3946.