Kariya, Selanne Ready to Rejuvenate Line

The last time Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne played on the same line--during a 4-1 loss in Chicago on Thursday--it was hardly a thing of beauty. Both were nursing injuries and the result was less than mediocre.

“We both rely on our speed to create our offense,” Kariya said. “Take even 10% of that away, and it makes a big difference. But neither of us played as hard as we could and we were both cheating to try and get opportunities.

“It hurt our defense and hurt our offense too, because we’re most effective when we’re coming in with speed behind the play.”

Kariya is confident Mighty Duck fans will see another side of the Selanne-Steve Rucchin-Kariya line tonight.

“If they work hard, they’ll stay together,” Coach Craig Hartsburg said. “If they don’t, we’ll split them up just like any other line.”

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For the second time in his career, center Matt Cullen has responded well to a trip to the minors.

Last January, he went down to Cincinnati, scored 11 goals in seven games and returned with renewed confidence and poise. After a three-game stint with Cincinnati that ended Nov. 29, Cullen has scored three points in three games, including his first goal of the season Sunday in San Jose.

“You get the ice time, you can relax a little and regain your confidence,” Cullen said. “I just hope I don’t have to go down to Cincinnati every time I’m in a slump.”

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The Ducks scored two power-play goals against San Jose on Sunday, but Rucchin still describes the team’s power play as “disoriented.”

“We just seem to be having trouble,” he said. “So right now, I think we need to concentrate on setting the tone early with our first couple of power plays, pound the puck on the net and then really battle for the rebounds.

“Then maybe we’ll get them sitting back a little and get some more room later in the game.”

TONIGHT

vs. Vancouver

7:30, Channel 9

* Site--Arrowhead Pond.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 9-11-5, Canucks 10-13-3.

* Record vs. Canucks--0-1.

* Update--Good news for the Ducks: Teemu Selanne, who scratched himself from Sunday’s game at San Jose because of a strained right thigh, and Paul Kariya, who has been bothered because of a strained groin muscle, are both expected to be at full strength. When both score a goal, the Ducks are 24-4-7. More good news for the Ducks: Vancouver is without its three best forwards. Pavel Bure is in a contract dispute, Alexander Mogilny has a sprained knee and Todd Bertuzzi a broken leg.