Leclerc to Miss His Third Game

The Ducks fully expected to have all 23 players healthy and eligible to play tonight against the Washington Capitals, some 12 games into the season.

But Thursday, Coach Craig Hartsburg decided against playing left wing Mike Leclerc tonight. Leclerc will miss his third game because of an infected left elbow.

Ruslan Salei, suspended 10 games for the hit that injured Dallas center Mike Modano on Oct. 2, will be in the lineup tonight, playing with usual defense partner Fredrik Olausson.

Goaltender Dominic Roussel was superb in Wednesday’s 2-1 overtime victory over Pittsburgh but will not play tonight. Guy Hebert will be back in goal.

“It’s a huge game,” Hartsburg said of facing Washington, a team the Ducks beat, 7-1, last week at the MCI Center. “We’ve got to be prepared to be desperate.”

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Hartsburg’s line-shuffling pleased him during the victory over Pittsburgh, so he will stick with his new combinations tonight.

Paul Kariya, Matt Cullen and Teemu Selanne will make up the first line. Jim McKenzie, Steve Rucchin and Marty McInnis will form the second line. With Leclerc sidelined, it’s uncertain whether Hartsburg will again play Jeff Nielsen with Antti Aalto and Ladislav Kohn on the third line. Wednesday, the fourth line was made up of Ted Donato, Ted Drury and Pascal Trepanier.

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Salei’s return means rookie defenseman Niclas Havelid will be scratched tonight. Havelid had played in all 11 games and had a plus/minus rating of plus two.

“We’re taking Nic out, but not because of anything he’s done wrong,” Hartsburg said. “It’s just a matter of getting Nic back in there. We’re not going to let him sit out for very long.”

TONIGHT

vs. Washington

7:30, Fox Sports West 2

* Site--Arrowhead Pond.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 5-5-1-1, Capitals 2-4-2.

* Record vs. Capitals--1-0.

* Update--The Ducks are four for 13 on the power play at home, tops in the NHL at 30.8% McInnis’ power-play goal Wednesday against Pittsburgh helped the Ducks improve to six for 35 (17.1%) overall with the man advantage. Washington built a 2-0 lead Tuesday against the Kings, then belly-flopped en route to a 5-2 loss. The Capitals are 0-3-1 in their last four games. * Tickets--(714) 704-2701.