His Long Rest Is Over

Even before Saturday’s 4-1 loss to the New York Islanders, Coach Mike Babcock had told goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere that he was going back into the lineup after an eight-day absence.

“I thought with the amount of games we have played it was time he got back in and get him rolling,” Babcock said.

Getting back in is set in stone. Getting him rolling depends on whether Giguere is his old rock-solid self.

“I should be well-rested after nine days,” Giguere said. “I’ll be ready. I might have to battle in the first period.

“I think it’s easier for a goaltender to come back after a layoff. Practice is like games for goalies. That should make the transition easier.”

Giguere got a jump on that transition Saturday, replacing Martin Gerber 4 minutes 50 seconds into the second period.

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Defenseman Keith Carney was physically ready to return to the lineup, after sitting out four weeks with a broken bone in his foot. But he remained rusty on the finer points of the game.

“The only way to get your timing back and get in game shape is obviously to play,” Carney said. “My foot feels fine. What I have to get used to is the speed of the game. I have to make quick decisions and move the puck quicker.”

Carney, the Ducks’ top defensive defenseman, played 16:59 Saturday, far off his normal 20-plus-minute workhorse duty. He was rarely matched up against the Islanders’ top line.

TODAY

at Chicago, 4 p.m. PST, Ch. 9

Site -- United Center.

Radio -- XPRS (1090).

Records -- Ducks 4-6-1-1, Blackhawks 4-5-3-0.

Record vs. Blackhawks -- 0-0-1.

Update -- Rob Niedermayer’s second-period goal Saturday gave the Ducks power-play goals in six consecutive games.