Chouinard Gets Left Out

The Mighty Ducks’ trades for Rob Niedermayer and Steve Thomas resulted in some lineup shuffling.

Center Marc Chouinard and left wing Alexei Smirnov were healthy scratches for the Ducks against Chicago on Wednesday.

“They are both a big part of what we have done this season and they will continue to be,” Coach Mike Babcock said.

Smirnov has been in and out of the lineup this season. But Chouinard has played in 64 of the Ducks’ 71 games, centering the fourth line.

“It’s never easy to be the guy who sits out,” Chouinard said. “I talked with Mike and we had a real positive meeting. With those two guys we now have some depth.”

*

Chouinard switched to jersey No. 11, volunteering to let Thomas have No. 32.

“The guy has played 1,100 games, he deserves to have his number,” Chouinard said.

No. 11 has meaning to Chouinard.

“My dad wore that when he played junior hockey and I wore it when I played junior hockey,” he said.

*

TONIGHT

vs. San Jose, 7:30

Site -- Arrowhead Pond.

Radio -- KSPA (1510).

Records -- Ducks 34-25-8-4; Sharks 25-33-6-5.

Record vs. Sharks -- 1-2.

Update -- San Jose has won its last five games at the Pond. The Ducks have won five of their last six games against Pacific Division teams.

Tickets -- (877) 945-3946