Pahlsson is trying to get back on ice
Once the holder of the Ducks’ record for consecutive games played, Samuel Pahlsson might be spending the rest of this season trying to stay in the lineup. The problem isn’t his play. It’s his health.
Inflammation in Pahlsson’s abdomen caused the defensive whiz to skip the recent three-game trip to western Canada and it could keep him out of Wednesday’s home game against Columbus.
Pahlsson skated on his own in Anaheim while his teammates dropped two of the three road games. On Monday, the center took part in the Ducks’ optional practice with 10 other players but offered no guarantees regarding his status.
“I want to play,” Pahlsson said. “But I’m not going to do it if it’s going to make it bad right away. Everyone wants to play but you have to be smart about it too.”
Until Andy McDonald passed him before being traded to St. Louis, Pahlsson had played in 275 consecutive regular-season games. Off-season hernia surgery ended that streak. He returned for the Oct. 6 home opener but has sat out six games overall.
After a brisk skate Monday, the center acknowledged he might not be right. “I don’t think I’m going to be 100% this year,” Pahlsson said. “You just have to get it to a point where I can play with it and give 100% out there. I’m probably going to feel it but I don’t think it’s going to hurt my game.”
Pahlsson said the inflamed abdomen isn’t directly related to the surgery. “It’s not the same injury, I think,” he said. “I’ve got some bad habits from playing with injuries. . . . I started compensating a little bit and then something else takes the heat. I have to try to find a way to correct that.”
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