Giguere Tries to Stay Upbeat

Mighty Duck goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere isn’t particularly happy about his current role but understands why backup Martin Gerber will start tonight against the Kings.

“It’s not the best situation, but Martin has played well and deserves to play,” Giguere said. “It’s been a frustrating season for me so far. But a lot of good things have happened and I’m going to focus on the good things.”

Of the 46 goalies who have played at least 15 games, Giguere ranks 40th with a 2.82 goals-against average and 33rd with a .907 save-percentage.

“Right now Gerbs is the one who is getting us points, so Gerbs is one who deserves the opportunity,” Coach Mike Babcock said. “Yet in saying that, this has a lot to do with the team getting the job done as well. I know Jiggy has worked hard. But there is a physical and a mental side to this game and a mental side determines how big you are out there.”

Giguere admits that the mental side has been hurting him.

“I haven’t let myself play like I can,” Giguere said. “But I am going to be better for this experience. Just like the playoffs last year, this is going to make me a better goalie.”

*

Duck games have been a bit louder since forward Cam Severson was recalled from Cincinnati. Severson has been knocking opponents into the boards since he was recalled Jan. 19.

“He’s an energy guy,” General Manager Bryan Murray said. “He has shown us he has put more into his skating and he can score. But he is willing to play physical and we need that.”

Severson credited the two games he played for the Ducks last season -- his first two in the NHL -- as his inspiration. “That was the question, whether I could play in this league, and I came away from that knowing I could,” Severson said. “I want to show I can do more than just hit guys. I can contribute in other areas.”

That being said, Severson also knows what his job description is at the moment.

“I need to go out there and hit someone on every shift,” he said.

*

The Kings once had a solid power play, before Ziggy Palffy was lost for the season and Martin Straka was lost until the final few games of the season, at best.

The Kings used to click on the man-advantage, scoring 13 power-play goals in their first 11 games and lingering just outside the league’s top 10. These days they take them when they can get them, which has been less and less while tumbling to 25th in the league with 13.6% efficiency.

“We need to score,” King Coach Andy Murray said. “Shoot whenever you get the chance, win battles for pucks. I can’t say there’s a real specific tactical thing we need to do. Just shoot it, bounce it off somebody and hope we get it in.”

*

Forwards Sean Avery and Dustin Brown are healthy enough to play tonight, Murray said. Avery appeared to get the worst of a knee-to-knee hit with Jason Marshall in Monday’s 2-2 tie with the Minnesota Wild. Brown sat out Monday’s game after aggravating an ankle injury that sidelined him for 26 games.

TONIGHT

Ducks vs. Kings, 7:30

Site -- Arrowhead Pond.

Radio -- XPRS (1090), KSPN (710).

Records -- Ducks 15-22-8-5; Kings 19-15-11-5.

Season series -- Kings, 1-0-1.

Update -- The Ducks have an 0-3-2 record in their last five games against Pacific Division teams. Their special teams play has improved, as the Ducks have scored five power-play goals in their last 11 chances, three by Vaclav Prospal. The Kings have a 7-2-4 record in their last 13 games against the Ducks. The Kings outshot the Wild, 36-23, but had to settle for a 2-2 tie Monday after falling behind by two goals.

Tickets -- (877) 945-3946.