Trip Includes a Stop at Home

Technically speaking, the Mighty Ducks continued their trip Thursday.

But in reality, they were bunched together for a morning practice at the Arrowhead Pond, working out some kinks before boarding a flight to Dallas for tonight’s game against their division rival.

Coach Randy Carlyle said the chance to return home between games in Nashville and Dallas was too tempting to pass up, especially after opening the trip in Columbus and then spending three days in St. Louis waiting to play the Blues.

“That’s unusual,” Carlyle said of the layover in St. Louis. “As a hockey player on the West Coast, you’re going to be impacted by road trips throughout the course of the season, so we’re trying to use our time as wisely as possible.”

Carlyle said the Ducks played their best road game of the season Sunday in a 4-2 victory over Nashville, which came into the game with a 16-3 home mark.

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With forward Rob Niedermayer sidelined for at least the next two games with a concussion, Jason Marshall’s value has increased.

He was recalled Tuesday from the Portland Pirates, Anaheim’s affiliate in the American Hockey League, where he had been reassigned for conditioning purposes. Marshall, 34, has appeared in 17 games this season with the Ducks, totaling three points and 14 penalty minutes.

Primarily a defenseman, Marshall also can fill in at forward, where Niedermayer plays.

“It’s always a comfort as a coach to have a player that’s been around and played those positions in the league,” Carlyle said.

Second-year wing Travis Moen, however, will inherit much of Niedermayer’s ice time.

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Goalkeeper Jean-Sebastian Giguere did not start against Nashville, a day after the Ducks beat St. Louis, 5-4, in a shootout. It was the first time this season Giguere played the opener of back-to-back games and sat the second.

In his place, Ilya Bryzgalov made his first start in more than a month and stopped 21 shots. The Ducks also play on consecutive days this weekend.

“In back-to-back situations, if the coach feels more comfortable going with a fresh goalie and the fresh goalie is playing well, I think it will be a good strategy in the end,” said Giguere, who recorded his 100th career victory last month.

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Defenseman Keith Carney was back at practice Thursday after missing a workout because of flu.

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TONIGHT

at Dallas, 5:30 PST

Site -- American Airlines Center.

Radio -- 1090.

Records -- Ducks 18-15-6; Stars 25-12-2.

Record vs. Stars -- 0-3-0.

Update -- The Ducks are the hottest team in the Western Conference since Thanksgiving, with a 10-4-2 mark in that time. Dallas goaltender Marty Turco signed a four-year contract extension Thursday after getting his 20th win on Wednesday night.