Elbow Injury Sidelines Aalto

Center Antti Aalto will miss at least one game because of an injured left elbow. He saw the team doctor Tuesday to discuss the results of an MRI.

“We’ll know more today, but we’ll talk about it tomorrow,” Duck Coach Craig Hartsburg said.

Aalto, though, discussed his injury at length, saying it was not as serious as he first thought. He said he suffered the injury against the Kings on Friday, but was able to play Saturday during the Ducks’ 2-1 victory over Phoenix.

Aalto initially feared the injury was similar to one he suffered in 1997-98, when he missed 44 games after surgery on the same elbow.

“It felt bad at first, but each day it gets better,” Aalto said. “The doctor said it was not that bad. But it’s hard for them to tell because there is the scar tissue from the last injury. I think it will be something like a groin [injury]. I’m day to day.”

Aalto, who centers the Ducks’ checking line, will not play against Vancouver tonight at the Arrowhead Pond. It left Hartsburg shuffling his lines.

Tony Hrkac will move from the fourth line to take Aalto’s spot. Left wing Ted Donato will play center on the fourth line.

It’s not a drastic move for Donato, who has played the position before.

“I’ve played a couple seasons entirely at center,” Donato said. “I don’t think I’ve gone a season without playing center some. The big differences are you have to cover more ice and you have more defensive responsibilities. And you have to win faceoffs.”

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Guy Hebert will make his 10th consecutive start in goal tonight. “You get into a rhythm,” Hebert said. “When you have a few days off in a row, like we have had this week, it allows you to get some rest. As you get older, you learn what to do off the ice.” . . . Winger Ladislav Kohn, out since Nov. 27 because of a groin injury, skated before Tuesday’s practice but did not work out with the team. Hartsburg was expecting Kohn to test the injury during the Ducks’ morning skate today.

TONIGHT

vs. Vancouver, 7:30

Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Pond.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 13-12-3-1; Vancouver 11-11-6-1.

* 1998-99 Record vs. Canucks--1-1-2.

* Update--The Ducks, who are 3-1-1 in their last four games, are trying to extend an unbeaten streak to three games for the first time this season. “I’ve seen more commitment to the job the last week,” Hartsburg said. Especially on the penalty-killing unit, which was last in the NHL. The Ducks have passed Vancouver, the New York Islanders and Atlanta. “We’re not perfect, but we’re getting better,” Hartsburg said. Mark Messier (sprained knee), Adrian Aucoin (groin), Mattias Ohlund (eye injury), Alexander Mogilny (back spasms), Jason Strudwick (back) and Bryan Allen (shoulder surgery) are out for Vancouver. The Canucks used six rookies in Monday’s 5-2 loss to Colorado and have almost as much money invested in injured players ($15.7 million) as they do in the healthy ones ($16 million).

* Tickets--(714) 740-2000.