Injury Still Frustrating Leclerc

TAMPA, Fla. -- Every day, Mighty Duck forward Mike Leclerc hopes to learn if his left knee will allow him to practice or play.

“I get on the ice for 15 minutes to see if it will warm up,” said Leclerc, who had arthroscopic surgery to have cartilage removed from his left knee in November. He has played but the knee has been troublesome since then.

Leclerc did not practice Monday and is questionable for tonight’s game against Tampa Bay. He played Sunday against Carolina but was a scratch against the New York Rangers on Friday.

“It’s frustrating,” Leclerc said. “I just want to help the team. I want to put this behind me. The team is winning and guys are having fun. I don’t feel a part of it.”

Leclerc missed 11 games immediately before and after the surgery. He played 10 games, then sat out 10 because of soreness in the knee. He said doctors have told him there is no structural damage. He has not undergone an MRI exam since the surgery.

“It feels like it is getting worse,” Leclerc said. “It is on my mind every day. I have a career to think about too.”

Leclerc played 82 games last season and finished second on the team with 20 goals and third with 44 points. He has five goals and 22 points in 37 games this season.

As important as his ability is his size. At 6 feet 2, 215 pounds, he is one of the Ducks’ few skilled big players.

Duck officials, who are in the market for help up front, have inquired about whether St. Louis’ Shjon Podein is available.

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Defenseman Kurt Sauer will miss tonight’s game. He rushed home Sunday after learning his wife, Carmen, had gone into labor.

Sauer was on the team bus heading for the airport after Sunday’s 4-0 victory over Carolina when he learned that his wife was going into labor. He managed to get on the last available flight out of Raleigh, N.C., and landed in Orange County at 10:55 p.m. Teammate Andy McDonald, who did not make the trip because of a concussion, picked up Sauer at the airport.

Carmen Sauer gave birth to Kohl Christopher Sauer, a 7-pound 15-ounce boy, at 6:10 a.m. Monday.

Sauer is expected to rejoin the team Friday against the Phoenix Coyotes. Vitaly Vishnevski, a healthy scratch against Carolina, will return to the lineup.

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TONIGHT

at Tampa Bay, 4 PST

Site -- St. Pete Times Forum.

Radio -- KPLS (830), delayed at 7 p.m.

Records -- Ducks 29-21-8-4, Lightning 25-22-10-5.

Record vs. Lightning (2001-02) -- 0-2-0-0.

Update -- Martin Gerber, who made 28 saves against Carolina for his first NHL shutout, will start in goal for the Ducks. Jean-Sebastien Giguere will start Wednesday against Florida.

-- Chris Foster