Anemic Offense Brings Some Lineup Changes

Coach Craig Hartsburg, seeking to breathe life into the Ducks’ anemic offense, plans to shuffle his top two lines for tonight’s game against the Montreal Canadiens.

Travis Green has been promoted to the top line to play with right wing Teemu Selanne and left wing Paul Kariya. Steve Rucchin will move to the second line to play with right wing Tomas Sandstrom and rookie left wing Johan Davidsson.

“Maybe change will help us,” Hartsburg said of the winless Ducks, who have only one goal in two games. “Travis will give us a little jump. He’s been a good offensive player in his career. He’s worked hard. He deserves a chance because his effort has been so good.”

Hartsburg also wished to make it clear that he was not blaming Rucchin for the Ducks’ struggles.

“I’m certainly not disappointed with Steve Rucchin,” he said. “The key is to find the unit that works well.”

Green said he was looking forward to the challenge. It will be the first time he has played on a line with Kariya and Selanne since being traded to the Ducks by the New York Islanders on Feb. 6.

“I want to make the most of my chance to play with those guys,” Green said. “Whatever it takes to get the team going. Obviously, I’m pretty excited about it.”

TODAY

at Montreal

4 p.m., Fox Sports West

* Site--Molson Centre

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 0-2, Canadiens 1-0.

* Record vs. Canadiens--(1997-98) 1-1.

* Update--Montreal has a talented team but is nowhere as imposing as either the Washington Capitals or Philadelphia Flyers--the Ducks’ first two opponents on their season-opening trip. Like the Ducks, the Canadiens are a good skating team. The Canadiens will be without forwards Martin Rucinsky and Brian Savage, who are unsigned restricted free agents. Benoit Brunet and Turner Stevenson, two physical players, have replaced them on the top line.