Ducks send banged-up Saku Koivu, Viktor Fasth home from road trip

The Ducks on Monday sent center Saku Koivu and goalie Viktor Fasth home to Anaheim for evaluation and treatment of their injuries.

Koivu was knocked out in Sunday’s 4-3 victory at Columbus – the fourth game of the Ducks’ eight-game road trip that continues through Nov. 4.

Late in the second period, Koivu was struck by Columbus’ Brandon Dubinsky after passing a puck into the Blue Jackets’ zone. Koivu had to be helped from the ice and didn’t return; Dubinsky was ejected.

The NHL protocol for a player who is knocked unconscious is to have the player undergo medical evaluation and follow-up tests as Ducks forward Dustin Penner was after being knocked out by Colorado’s Ryan Garbutt on Oct. 20, returning to the team for Sunday’s game.

Fasth, meanwhile, suffered a lower-body injury at the end of practice Oct. 17 and hasn’t played since as call-up Frederik Andersen has gone 3-0, including Sunday’s victory.

Fasth will receive physical therapy in Anaheim, a team spokesman said.

The Ducks, preparing to play again Tuesday in Philadelphia, called up center Rickard Rakell from the team’s minor-league affiliate in Norfolk, Va., on Monday.

Rakell, 20, had four goals and an assist in nine games for Norfolk.

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