Grimson Doesn’t Always Let Fists Do the Talking

Left wing Stu Grimson released some pent-up energy after the Ducks’ 3-1 victory over the Kings Monday. But the Duck tough guy was glad-handing teammates instead of manhandling opponents.

Grimson was hand-slapping and back-patting after the Ducks had won for the sixth time in seven games.

And that extra energy? Coach Craig Hartsburg had sat Grimson for the fourth consecutive game. With the Ducks playing so well, Hartsburg is reluctant to tinker with the lineup. It has left Grimson odd man out on the Ducks’ fourth line.

“Sure, I want to be a part of it,” he said. “We’ve had some difficult times this year and you want to enjoy the good times.”

Grimson’s enthusiastic postgame display was one reason the Ducks acquired him from Carolina in August.

“The locker room is really quiet when Stu isn’t around,” center Ted Drury said. “He’s really the emotional leader of this team. He hasn’t been in the lineup, but he will talk before the game about what we need to do. It gets me fired up.”

Said Hartsburg, “Stu is very important to the chemistry of this team even when he is not playing. There aren’t many guys in this league you can say that about.”

Opponents haven’t had to worry about the Ducks’ 6-foot-5, 239-pound left wing patrolling the ice recently. Without Grimson, the Ducks have only Jim McKenzie to serve and protect.

“Stu and Jim are not the only ones responsible for making us tough,” Hartsburg said. “Two guys don’t do it. It’s everyone’s responsibility. Fighting isn’t the only way to show toughness.”

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Defenseman Pascal Trepanier, who left Monday’s game after the Kings’ Rob Blake deflected a shot off his right foot, said he will play tonight.

“It’s only a matter of being able to put my skate on my foot,” Trepanier said. “Yesterday I had a bulge the size of a golf ball. Today it is a lot better.”

The same cannot be said for defenseman Jamie Pushor, who will miss a second consecutive game because of a bruised left shoulder, according to Hartsburg. As a precaution, the Ducks brought in defenseman Dan Trebil from Cincinnati.

Tonight vs. Edmonton, 7:30

* Site--Arrowhead Pond.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 23-23-9, Oilers 21-25-8.

* Record vs. Oilers--1-2.

* Update--Teemu Selanne has a seven-game scoring streak, with four goals and eight assists. Goalie Guy Herbert will make his 11th consecutive start and will face an Oiler team struggling on both ends of the power play. Edmonton did not get a shot off in five chances against Dallas on Monday. Two of those were five-on-three opportunities. The Oilers, who are 3-6-1 in their last 10 games, have given up four power-play goals in the last 18 opportunities.

* Tickets--(714) 740-2000 or (213) 480-3232.