Schedule is more formidable than it reads

With victories over San Jose and Nashville, the Ducks figure to fatten up on the remaining six games on this homestand, with just one team on it likely to make the playoffs.

However, the Ducks’ track record suggests that isn’t automatic.

They have beaten Phoenix, tonight’s opponent, five out of six times but have also dropped home games to Columbus and Chicago, who come through Anaheim next week.

The homestand ends March 18 against the lottery-bound Kings, with whom the Ducks have played one-goal games in all seven meetings this season.

And the Ducks’ ledger against other lowly teams includes abysmal home losses to Philadelphia and St. Louis.

Still, with a seven-point lead in the Pacific Division going into tonight, the Ducks can further distance themselves from division contenders Dallas and San Jose.

“Anyone will tell you that the hardest games to get up for are the ones that are afternoon games or the games that don’t feel as big as the other ones,” center Ryan Getzlaf said.

“First-place teams like Nashville, those are the easy ones. The hard part is getting up against the other teams.”

Coach Randy Carlyle acknowledged that the Ducks have had a tendency to play to the level of their opponent.

“We know these teams we are playing are fighting for, if it’s not playoff position, it’s recognition and respect,” Carlyle said.

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Todd Marchant skated for the first time since aggravating his stomach muscle injury, but it was on his own for a few minutes before leaving the ice ahead of practice Tuesday.

They were baby steps for the veteran center, who was injured Feb. 17 against the Kings and has missed the last eight games. And as far as a timetable for his return, well, there isn’t one.

“Last time this happened, it seemed like we went after it and it got better quickly,” said Marchant, who missed six other games with the same injury. “This time, we’ve had to be a little bit more cautious with it. You don’t want it to obviously happen again.

“I don’t have a timetable. I’m sure you’d love to know that but I don’t.”

Marchant said the pain that made it tough for him to sneeze or cough has largely subsided, enabling him to do full off-ice workouts.

“Hopefully it’ll continue to get better and I can get back in the lineup. If they’ll take me back,” he cracked.

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TONIGHT

vs. Phoenix, 7, FSN Prime Ticket

Site -- Honda Center.

Radio -- 830.

Records -- Ducks 39-17-11; Coyotes 27-35-3.

Record vs. Coyotes -- 5-1-0.

Update -- Defenseman Chris Pronger will be a game-time decision after jamming his toe while working out. “We don’t think it’s something that will hold him out, but we’ll see how his foot reacts [this] morning,” Carlyle said. Forward Brad May, who injured a lower-body muscle in his Ducks debut Feb. 26, will be available tonight after sitting out the last two games.

eric.stephens@latimes.com