By CURTIS ZUPKE
The Orange County Register
ANAHEIM - The Ducks will be without their top checking center and best faceoff man for their upcoming three-game road trip.
Samuel Pahlsson will stay in Orange County to rehabilitate an abdominal injury while the team plays Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver in the next four days, Coach Randy Carlyle said.
Carlyle said it was a nagging injury. He had been giving Pahlsson periodic days off from practice and decided to use the Christmas break so Pahlsson can get close to 10 days off. The Ducks took three three days off following last Saturday’s victory at San Jose and will play at Edmonton on Thursday, followed by Calgary on Saturday and Vancouver on Sunday.
Pahlsson centers the team’s noted checking line with wingers Travis Moen and Rob Niedermayer. He specializes in defensive zone faceoffs and plays on the penalty killing unit.
Todd Marchant skated with Moen and Niedermayer in practice Wednesday, and the Ducks could also use Ryan Carter in place of Pahlsson.
Pahlsson, 30, has otherwise been one of the NHL’s most durable players. He underwent hernia surgery in September that forced him to miss the beginning of the season, which stopped his club-record streak of 275 consecutive games played.
