Nielsen Gets a Promotion

Looking for a spark, Coach Craig Hartsburg moved energetic winger Jeff Nielsen onto the top line with Paul Kariya and Steve Rucchin for Sunday’s 2-1 victory over San Jose.

Nielsen had only one assist in 23 games before Sunday, but Hartsburg’s reasoning seemed sound enough.

“I like the way he works,” Hartsburg said of Nielsen, whose last goal was April 19 against the St. Louis Blues. “I like his speed. He’s scored in the minors, but that’s not been his role here. But he’s played his role [on the Ducks’ checking line] well. He competes and he finishes checks.”

That latter was a key element in playing Nielsen on the top line because, as Hartsburg pointed out: “San Jose is a gritty team. You have to match that. If you don’t, they’re going to control the game. That’s what [Nielsen] brings to the table.”

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Tomas Sandstrom won’t be able to play until January because of a broken left wrist, but he made the trip to San Jose anyway.

“It’s been a tough road trip so far,” Sandstrom said. “It’s nice to go on the road and watch a game. You can’t really tell anything [about the Ducks’ performances] by watching on TV.”

Sandstrom is scheduled to have his wrist X-rayed Wednesday, but doesn’t expect to be cleared to skate again until next month.

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San Jose defenseman Gary Suter is expected to soon have tendon surgery for a second time. He had the operation once, but a staph infection in his upper arm ruined the procedure.

Suter, whose cross-check as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks sidelined Kariya for 28 games last season, played only two periods in one game this season and will be sidelined for the rest of 1998-99.