Journeyman Thornton has impressive return

When Shawn Thornton was sent to the minor leagues after his first stint with the Ducks this season, Coach Randy Carlyle said the journeyman winger did everything that was asked of him and was merely caught in a numbers game.

Carlyle also indicated that Thornton would be back at some point. After being recalled by the team in time for last week’s game at Washington, the Ducks forward has gone above and beyond in making another strong impression.

Thornton has played in all four games on the Ducks’ trip. The first one was memorable; he scored his third career goal 57 seconds into a 6-1 victory over the Capitals.

“Things went pretty well in that game,” said Thornton, who also had an assist. “I got pretty lucky. The hockey gods were smiling on me.”

Not including the lockout, Thornton, 29, has bounced between the NHL and the American Hockey League for the last three years. A 10-year pro, the left wing has served as the captain of the Ducks’ minor-league team in Portland, Maine, this season.

“Well, I’ve got 600 games in the AHL and, definitely, guys look at me a little differently down there,” Thornton said Thursday. “I’m kind of the wily veteran. The teams in the AHL are a lot of younger guys and I try to help guys be good professionals.

“When I’m up here, I just try to be upbeat all the time with the guys and do what I can to help. I’ve been through it before, which helps.”

Thornton has six points in 10 games with the Ducks.

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Carlyle could find himself behind the Western Conference bench for the NHL All-Star game, which is Jan. 24 in Dallas.

If the Ducks are in first place in the conference through the games of Jan. 5, Carlyle will coach the West team. With a league-best 56 points, the Ducks have a 10-point edge over San Jose with nine games remaining through Jan. 5.

eric.stephens@latimes.com