Injured Niedermayer to Miss Two-Game Trip

The mild concussion that kept Mighty Duck forward Rob Niedermayer out of practice the last two days will sideline him for the two-game trip to Dallas and Minnesota this weekend.

Because it’s a concussion, mild or not, the Ducks are adhering to the NHL’s policy, which states that a player must be free of any symptoms for seven days from the date of the injury before returning.

Niedermayer, who was hurt in the third period of a 4-2 victory over the Nashville Predators on Sunday, underwent an MRI exam Tuesday that was negative. Duck Coach Randy Carlyle is hoping Niedermayer will be able to resume on-ice workouts this weekend.

“If he’s symptom-free for 48 hours from [Tuesday], then he’ll start to work out,” Carlyle said. “I would say at day five or six, we’ll allow him to skate.”

When asked if he will be able to play Monday at home against the Kings, Carlyle said, “That’s to be determined.”

The 31-year-old wing has played in every game and is the team’s fifth-leading scorer with 25 points, including 10 goals. More important, he has a regular place on the team’s top checking line with center Samuel Pahlsson and left wing Jonathan Hedstrom.

Second-year wing Travis Moen would be the likely choice to fill Niedermayer’s spot because he played on that line earlier this season.

“Obviously, we’ll miss him,” Pahlsson said of Niedermayer. “With Travis coming in, he’s a really good player too. We’ve played together this year, so it’ll be no problem at all.”

Moen will have to shake off some rust given that he has been a healthy scratch for the last eight games. The last game he played was Dec. 12 at Toronto.

“When you get a chance, you’ve got to make the best of it,” he said. “When you don’t play, it’s definitely not fun.”

Carlyle said he has been impressed with Moen’s professionalism in staying in shape while ice time grew scarce. The forward has been working out regularly with strength and conditioning coach Sean Skahan.

“We made a conscious effort that we were going to keep some people together and it found it’s way that Travis was on the outside looking in,” Carlyle said. “That’s the reality of it.

“But he’s worked extremely hard and stayed positive. [Skahan] makes sure those things don’t go by the wayside.”

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Defenseman Keith Carney missed practice because of flu.... The Ducks’ first-round picks in 2003, forwards Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf, were named co-rookies of the month in the American Hockey League for their minor league affiliate at Portland, Maine. Perry had 24 points in 13 games and Getzlaf had 23 points in 11 games.