Hedstrom Could Sit Again With Injury

Jonathan Hedstrom worked hard to make the Mighty Ducks’ opening-night roster, especially after General Manager Brian Burke showed faith by signing him to a two-year contract despite having only four NHL games on his resume.

But now Hedstrom could miss his second game in a row tonight after straining his groin Tuesday during practice, and his frustration is evident. The injury is lingering and could keep him off the ice as the Ducks face the Nashville Predators. “I didn’t do anything special to hurt it,” said Hedstrom, who could not make it through Thursday’s skate. “I’ve never had a problem with it.”

Duck Coach Randy Carlyle said the status is day to day for the 27-year-old forward, who first came up briefly with the Ducks in the 2002-03 season before spending the next two years in his native Sweden.

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They were a high-scoring tandem over five years in Anaheim and tried to win a Stanley Cup together in Colorado two years ago. Now Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya will be on opposing sides tonight.

They have faced each other before, when Kariya was with the Ducks and Selanne played for the San Jose Sharks. Kariya said he’s happy to see his good friend back with his old team.

“I think it’s a great fit for Teemu and the Ducks,” said Kariya, who signed with the Predators for two years and $9 million. “He’s one of the most popular players ever in the franchise. His home is there and it’s a nice fit.”

DUCKS TONIGHT

at Nashville, 5, PDT

Site -- Gaylord Entertainment Center.

TV -- FSN West 2.

Radio -- 690.

Update -- Kariya scored his first goal for Nashville in its season-opening 3-2 win over San Jose. The Predators won 37 of 69 face-offs against the Sharks, something Carlyle says can’t be underestimated because puck possession can set up any number of plays. Nashville won three of the four meetings in the 2003-04 season, two in overtime.