Schneider has a fractured ankle

Mathieu Schneider’s official debut with the Ducks won’t come in London with his new teammates.

An MRI exam Sunday confirmed a fracture in Schneider’s left ankle and the defenseman is expected to be out for a month, making it certain that he will miss the two regular-season-opening games against the Kings on Sept. 29 and 30.

It also means that Schneider will be out for the rest of their trip that continues through Detroit, Columbus and Pittsburgh and will probably be absent for the home opener Oct. 10 against Boston.

Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle called it the “worst-case scenario.”

“These are all part of the game,” Carlyle said. “Injuries do take place and it’ll allow somebody else to get a little bit more of an opportunity.”

Schneider broke the ankle in his first action with the Ducks after signing a two-year, $11.25-million contract July 1.

In the second period of their 3-2 exhibition victory Saturday over the Kings, the 38-year-old veteran got tangled up while defending near the right corner of the Ducks’ zone.

As his name was announced for a holding penalty, Schneider immediately left the game and didn’t return. Afterward, he was walking with a significant limp and said he wasn’t sure about the severity of the injury.

The Ducks could have a decidedly different lineup than they imagined by the time they head to London with goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere and defensive stalwart Samuel Pahlsson still recovering from respective hernia surgeries done in August.

Add in the absence of captain Scott Niedermayer, who is suspended while he contemplates retirement, and the reigning Stanley Cup champions appear less formidable when the season begins, particularly on the back end.

“Well, I’m glad it happened now as opposed to February, March or April,” Ducks defenseman Sean O’Donnell said. “It’s just something you have to deal with. Hopefully at some point along the road trip, we’ll get Matty back.”

Peter Mueller and Radim Vrbata scored on Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller in the shootout to give the Phoenix Coyotes a 2-1 victory in front of an announced crowd of 16,888 at Honda Center.

Hiller and prospect Gerald Coleman split time evenly in the net for the second consecutive game, with Hiller stopping all 13 shots he faced in regulation and overtime and Coleman stopping 14 of the 15 shots he faced.

Chris Kunitz scored on a breakaway 2 minutes 55 seconds into the game and Todd Bertuzzi scored in the shootout for the Ducks. Vrbata got the Coyotes’ goal at the 6:24 mark of the second period.

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eric.stephens@latimes.com