Niedermayer Is Out; Armstrong Recalled

The medical news for two Mighty Duck forwards was mixed Thursday.

Rob Niedermayer aggravated a groin injury late in Wednesday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Kings and isn’t expected to play until after the All-Star game Feb. 8. Mike Leclerc intends to have his left knee examined by a Cleveland orthopedist within the next week, the final step before he’s cleared to play again.

Niedermayer sat out 12 games in November and December because of the original groin strain. Leclerc hasn’t played since undergoing arthroscopic surgery June 26.

Meanwhile, the Ducks recalled a defenseman, Chris Armstrong, to bolster their lackluster offense, which ranked last in the Western Conference. Armstrong had six goals and 30 points in 44 games for the Ducks’ minor league affiliate at Cincinnati.

“He’s a puck-moving defenseman,” Coach Mike Babcock said.

“We feel we’re struggling to move the puck. The difference [in Wednesday’s loss to the Kings] was their ability to move it from the back end. It gives you better speed on top of the forecheck.”

Babcock said he planned to play Armstrong tonight against the Colorado Avalanche. Armstrong, 28, is a career minor leaguer who played three NHL games with the Minnesota Wild in 2000-01, going scoreless.

Making room for Armstrong on the roster, the Ducks put forward Michael Holmqvist on the injured list. Holmqvist, who has an abdominal injury, skated with teammates Thursday but isn’t expected to be fit to play until after the All-Star game.

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Babcock said Martin Gerber would start in goal tonight instead of playoff most valuable player Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Gerber’s second consecutive start and fourth in the last five games.

TONIGHT

vs. Colorado, 7:30

Fox Sports Net 2

Site -- Arrowhead Pond.

Radio -- XPRS (1090).

Records -- Ducks 15-22-8-6, Avalanche 29-11-9-2.

Record vs. Avalanche -- 1-1-0-1.

Update -- Paul Kariya returns to the Pond for the first time since signing with the Avalanche during the off-season. “It was weird playing them for the first time [Jan. 13 at Denver], but it’s going to be a little bit more [so] playing them in Anaheim,” Kariya told a Denver newspaper. “But after five minutes, no matter where the game is, it’s hockey and you go out and play.”