Nov. 05--After a weekend bout with leg tightness, Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen was first off the ice at Wednesday's morning skate, indicating he'll start tonight against the visiting New York Islanders.
"I feel way better than yesterday," Andersen said, acknowledging that Coach Bruce Boudreau wants him to start barring any 11th-hour changes to his condition.
Andersen improved to 7-1 in net with an overtime victory in Dallas on Friday, but said he began feeling discomfort that night that prevented him from playing Sunday in Colorado.
John Gibson suffered a groin injury that is expected to sideline him for six weeks in pre-game warmups Sunday and Jason LaBarbera started against the Avalanche and won, 3-2.
Andersen said the leg tightness prevented him from moving quickly, "and I need to be 100 percent to play like I do."
Gibson's absence is currently scheduled to last 19 games.
The Ducks start a six-game stretch in Southern California tonight that includes home dates Friday against the Arizona Coyotes (sixth place in the Pacific Division) and Nov. 16 against the Florida Panthers (seventh in the Atlantic Division).
Could Andersen use a rest in some of those games off to navigate the Gibson absence?
"We'll see what weight I can carry, not up to me," Andersen said.
FAST RETURN: Forward Patrick Maroon's sooner-than-expected return to the starting lineup last week after an Oct. 13 left knee injury has been aided by a custom-made brace he said he'll keep on the knee throughout the season.
"It helps a lot -- it's the key thing, because it keeps the knee sturdy," said Maroon, who returned to play Friday and has four assists through five games while playing on the Ducks' first line.
"I don't want to hurt it again. With that, hopefully I'll stay healthy all year."
PALMIERI BACK ON ICE: Forward Kyle Palmieri, out all season with a high ankle sprain suffered in preseason conditioning, skated with the team and in a side session afterward Wednesday.
Palmieri, who had 14 goals and 17 assists in 71 games last season, is an estimated two weeks away from game action, Boudreau said.
