Orange County Register

Some quick hits from Friday’s practice at Anaheim Ice:

– Jean-Sebastien Giguere continues to take part in the full practice and it appears his strained groin muscle has improved enough to where the Ducks are targeting his return for the upcoming four-game road trip to the East Coast.

“I think he looks good,” Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. “He’s starting to feel more confident and comfortable in a lot of the situations. Our target is hopefully he can start to provide backup status next week on the road trip.”

As soon as Giguere is ready to come off injured reserve, Justin Pogge figures to be sent back to Bakersfield (ECHL).

– Some of the team’s other offensive players are starting to join Corey Perry  in terms of producing regularly. But there is consensus opinion that the top lines still have a ways to go to reach their peak.

“I think both lines have another level,” winger Bobby Ryan said. “We’ve seen shifts from both lines that are glimpses of what we can do. It’s just a matter of finding that consistency and getting to that level.”

– Carlyle said he wasn’t worried that defenseman James Wisniewski will want to take up matters again with Shane Doan when he returns from a two-game suspension Saturday against the Coyotes after delivering a forearm to the head of the Phoenix captain last week.

“I think he’s got to play his game,” Carlyle said. “Just be himself. Play hard. I don’t think you have to worry about his commitment to the battle. But he can’t be sidetracked. Our focus is winning the hockey game. Anything short of that is unacceptable.”

– It’s become a regular topic between Carlyle and defenseman Ryan Whitney. The message: Shoot the puck.

“He’s got a big-time shot,” the coach said. “And we’ve had our conversations about shooting the puck and getting it to the net with some oomph on it when he has the opportunity presents itself.”

– Center Todd Marchant missed practice in order to undergo some dental work. “They gave him the gas to put him to sleep for a while,” Carlyle quipped. “There wasn’t use brining him to the rink in that frame of mind.”

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