Ducks’ Ryan Getzlaf expected to play against Coyotes on Friday

Ryan Getzlaf returned to practice Thursday, the Ducks center expecting to play Friday against the Arizona Coyotes after he and first-line mate Corey Perry surprisingly missed Wednesday’s overtime loss because of flu symptoms.

The recovery schedule for Perry, who has an NHL-best 11 goals, won’t be known until Friday. He did not attend Thursday’s practice because he felt sick following a nap Wednesday afternoon.

“I think it’s something different, spoke to him [Wednesday] night, he wasn’t feeling very good,” said Getzlaf, who was treated with intravenous fluids when symptoms kept him from Wednesday’s morning skate.

Injury front

Goalie Frederik Andersen (leg tightness) was first off the ice at Wednesday’s morning skate, indicating he would be the starter, but in a later discussion with Coach Bruce Boudreau, an agreement was struck to exercise caution.

“Give me two more days … then we can make sure I’m ready to go,” Andersen said of the conversation. “With one [goalie] down already, you don’t want another out long-term. You’ve got to be careful.”

Ducks rookie goalie John Gibson is out six weeks because of a groin injury. Veteran backup Jason LaBarbera was called up from the Ducks’ minor league affiliate in Norfolk, Va., and started the last two games.

Andersen said he felt fine at Thursday’s practice, and is ready to start Friday.

Also, Ducks defenseman Bryan Allen said he expects to make his season debut Friday.

Allen revealed that in addition to a hamstring injury suffered in training camp, he later tore his left biceps and was left to decide whether to undergo surgery or play.

“I think I’ll be fine,” Allen said.

Rumor mill

LaBarbera, 34, is aware of whispers the Ducks could pursue a veteran goalie such as Martin Brodeur or ex-Duck Ilya Bryzgalov to fill the Gibson void.

“Heard rumblings … I’ve been in this position enough times in my career … I think my whole career I’ve been trying to prove myself,” said LaBarbera, who was in the Kings’ organization from 2005 to 2009.

“I remember being in L.A., watching the hot-stove talk before a game, they were talking about Ray Emery coming. Everyone’s looking at me. I’m like … it’s all part of the game.”

After playing Friday and Saturday in Norfolk, LaBarbera got off a cross-country flight to beat the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday, and was a power-play goal away from getting to a shootout Wednesday.

“Pretty solid, gave the guys a chance to win,” LaBarbera said. “All you can control is how you play on the ice, enjoy being in the moment.”

Seize the day

Forward Emerson Etem was supposed to be a healthy scratch Wednesday before Getzlaf and Perry became ill. Etem scored his first goal of the season.

The Ducks certainly don’t want Getzlaf and Perry to miss games, but Etem said not having them as a security blanket might have given him the initiative to shoot the puck past New York goalie Jaroslav Halak.

“We did a better job of holding on to the puck, being confident with it,” Etem said. “If I keep doing that, the floodgates will open.”

TONIGHT

VS. ARIZONA

When: 7.

On the air: TV: Prime Ticket. Radio: 830.

Etc.: The Coyotes have won two straight games after a 3-6-1 start. Forward Mikkel Boedker leads the team with five goals, and defenseman Keith Yandle in assists with nine.

lance.pugmire@latimes.com