Cullen Is Set to Face Former Teammates

TAMPA, Fla. -- There will come a moment tonight when centers Steve Rucchin and Matt Cullen will look each other in the eye during a faceoff when the Mighty Ducks play the Florida Panthers.

“That’s going to be really weird,” Cullen said.

“That’s going to be different,” Rucchin said.

Cullen and defenseman Pavel Trnka were traded to Florida in January in a deal that brought defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh and forward Lance Ward to the Ducks. Trnka, out with a strained knee, will sit out tonight’s game. Cullen, though, will get a good look at his former teammates.

“It’s going to be funny for that first shift, after that I got to forget about it,” Cullen said. “This is a big game for both teams. We’re both trying to make the playoffs.”

Since the trade, Cullen has four goals and seven points in 10 games. Trnka has played solid defense. The Ducks, meanwhile, have benefited greatly from Ozolinsh’s offensive skills and Ward’s toughness.

The face-to-face meeting will be strange for both sides.

“It’s always a little unusual when you play an ex-teammate,” said Rucchin, who played five-plus seasons with Cullen. “You show them a little respect and play. I just hope he doesn’t do one of those fancy stick moves and goes by me.”

*

TONIGHT

at Florida, 4:30 p.m.

Site -- Office Depot Center.

Radio -- 5, KPLS (830), joined in progress.

Records -- Ducks 29-22-8-4; Panthers 19-22-12-9.

Record vs. Panthers -- 0-0-0-1.

Update -- Ozolinsh received a standing ovation by Florida fans at the All-Star game, which came two days after the trade. This game will be less emotional. “What’s important is for us to get the two points,” Ozolinsh said.