Mironov Slowed by Chest Injury

Coach Pierre Page hopes defenseman Dmitri Mironov is fit to play tonight. Mironov missed his third consecutive game because of a strained chest muscle.

“It’s a lot better, but he’s not comfortable enough with it,� Page said. “Only 50% at this time of year doesn’t cut it and he knows it.�

Mironov suffered the injury when he was checked hard against the glass in a 4-3 loss to Montreal last Wednesday.

“When I lie down at night to sleep, I can feel it from my chest and neck,� said Mironov, who has four goals and 13 points. “The pain is more in my shoulder, and it hurts in there.�

TONIGHT

Anaheim vs.

Chicago

* 7:30 p.m.

* Fox Sports West 2

Site--The Pond.

Radio--KRLA 1110, KCKC 1350.

Records--Ducks 8-9-5, Blackhawks 7-12-2.

Record vs. Blackhawks (1996-97 season)--3-0-1.

Update--Chris Chelios, Chicago’s all-star defenseman, hasn’t scored a goal, which only partly explains the Blackhawks’ poor start. Chicago’s power play is the league’s weakest, converting only six of 100 chances. The Blackhawks have only one power-play goal in the last eight games. They are 0-2-2 in the last four. Backup Jeff Hackett, who is 0-3-2 with a 3.16 goals-against average, will start in goal tonight. Chicago leads the all-time series, 10-5-2, but hasn’t defeated the Ducks since a 4-1 victory Feb. 4, 1996 at the Pond.