Ozolinsh’s Return Date Still Uncertain

Sandis Ozolinsh may feel better walking up and down staircases but his balky left knee isn’t ready for the ice.

The Mighty Duck defenseman remained on injured reserve Wednesday as he sat out his sixth consecutive game because of the strained knee.

Ozolinsh, 33, has played in only 13 games after signing a two-year, $5.5-million extension on July 29. The 14-year veteran injured the knee Nov. 27 against Chicago and hasn’t skated since.

“He probably had a little more damage than we first anticipated,” Duck Coach Randy Carlyle said. “Once he gets the green light to skate, he will at least be a week away.”

Ozolinsh said he had a second MRI test that revealed bone bruises above and below the knee but no structural damage. However, he said he has felt the best since injuring the knee and is hopeful that he can skate by the end of the week.

*

Center Todd Marchant said the Ducks cannot continue to give away points in a balanced Pacific Division, the only division where every team has at least 30 points.

The Ducks are in fourth place with 33 points, six behind league-leading Dallas but only three ahead of red-hot San Jose as they try to stay out of last place.

“You look at the standings on a daily basis,” Marchant said. “We’ve got to keep winning. You can’t be satisfied with anything. We don’t have that luxury. We don’t have a 15-point lead in the playoff race.”

*

The Ducks will visit Children’s Hospital of Orange County today to spend time with children and their parents in their rooms.