Kariya, Selanne Reunited in Bid to Provide Stability

In an attempt to give his team a better sense of stability, Coach Guy Charron on Thursday reunited wingers Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne and reassembled the potent Mike Leclerc-Matt Cullen-Marty McInnis line.

“The famous duo is back together,” Charron said, referring to Kariya and Selanne, who will be joined by center Tony Hrkac tonight against the Washington Capitals.

“I kind of had to play a juggling act there for a little bit. Maybe if we create some stability with our lines, maybe that will make people more accountable. You may still see some changes, but maybe only at one position and maybe not the whole line.”

In other words, Charron might keep Kariya and Selanne together, but move Hrkac off the line and substitute another center.

“I feel our lines have to have some balance and stability and generate more of what we need five on five,” said Charron, a former Capital.

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Leclerc reported no ill effects a day after playing his first game after a six-week layoff because of damaged knee cartilage. He was injured Dec. 28 and underwent arthroscopic surgery Jan. 16.

“I just had to remember how to play,” he said. “My timing. My positioning on the penalty kill and while forechecking. Otherwise I felt pretty good. My wind was OK.”

TONIGHT

vs. Washington

7:30, Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Arrowhead Pond.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 16-30-6-4, Capitals 25-19-9-1.

* Record vs. Capitals (1999-2000)--2-0.

* Update--Washington Coach Ron Wilson is 0-3 against his former team at the Pond. Two former Ducks, winger Joe Sacco and defenseman Dmitri Mironov, are injured and probably won’t play. Washington is only 9-15-3 on the road this season, but took a 3-1 victory Wednesday from the league-leading Colorado Avalanche at Denver. Olaf Kolzig is expected to start in goal for the Capitals. The Ducks have lost seven consecutive at the Pond and have won only three of their last 21 overall. Guy Hebert, mired in a 0-10-2 slump, will start in goal. Defenseman Vitaly Vishnevski, sidelined because of a strained muscle near his right hip, will not play.

* Tickets--(714) 703-2545.