Rucchin Making Up for Lost Time on Ice

It has been a while since Steve Rucchin played this much hockey in a season.

After suffering an assortment of injuries that limited him to only 54 games in the last two seasons, Rucchin has been a rock for the Mighty Ducks, averaging nearly 22 minutes of ice time a game.

“I’m not used to playing so many games,” said Rucchin, who is on pace to play all 82 games in a season for the first time in his career. “It’s definitely been a few years, but I don’t feel too bad.

“Some nights, I’ve been there, some nights I haven’t ... We’re playing so many games that all you’re doing is just going, going, going. Mostly, it’s about being mentally prepared because you know that you’re going to be tired based on the schedule.”

For first-year Coach Mike Babcock, Rucchin has played the role of a security blanket because every game, he counts on Rucchin to face the opposing team’s top scoring lines.

That adds up to a lot of minutes for Rucchin, who also gets heavy ice time on the Ducks’ special teams.

“It sure is tough some nights but it’s a lot of fun,” said Rucchin, who ranks second on the team in assists and points, and is third in goals.

“I love the challenge of playing against the league’s top players and it sure is a lot easier when you’re winning games.”

*

Winger Kevin Sawyer, who has been sidelined since mid-December because of post-concussion symptoms, hopes to resume skating this week after suffering another setback last week when hit by an elbow in practice.

TONIGHT

vs. New York Islanders, 7:30

Fox Sports Net 2

Site -- Arrowhead Pond.

Radio -- KPLS (830).

Records -- Ducks 27-20-7-4, Islanders 27-23-5-2.

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

Update -- Center Adam Oates recorded an assist Saturday at Nashville, leaving him only one assist shy of tying Gordie Howe, who finished his career with 1,049 (sixth all-time). Howe played in 1,767 career NHL games, 514 more than Oates has played so far in his career.

Tickets -- (877) 945-3946.