Niedermayer, Weight join Ducks for home test vs. Sharks

December 16, 2007

(Sports Network) - Scott Niedermayer will finally make his return to the Anaheim Ducks lineup tonight, when his club welcomes the rival San Jose Sharks to the Honda Center.

Niedermayer mulled over retirement possibilities after the Ducks won their first-ever Stanley Cup last year, but ultimately announced he would return to Anaheim for at least the remainder of the season in a press conference on December 5.

The 34-year-old Niedermayer played a huge part in Anaheim’s championship season last year, as he captured the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the playoffs. It was his fourth Stanley Cup title after winning three during his time with New Jersey.

The Edmonton, Alberta native scored 15 goals and added 54 assists last season for the Ducks.

Niedermayer won’t be the only fresh face in the Ducks lineup this evening as Doug Weight is expected to make his debut for Anaheim as well.

Anaheim acquired Weight, a veteran centerman, on Friday in a deal with the St. Louis Blues. The Ducks sent forward Andy McDonald to the Blues in exchange for Weight, prospect Michal Birner and a seventh-round draft pick in 2008.

Weight, the 16-year NHL veteran, had just four goals and 11 points in 29 games for the Blues, but has scored 259 goals and 955 points in his career.

McDonald had posted only four goals and 16 points in 33 games this season for the struggling Stanley Cup champions.

Anaheim has dropped two straight, three of four and five of their last eight contests. The Ducks are 0-2 on a three-game homestand that ends tonight after getting beat by Vancouver and Minnesota in the first two tests of the residency.

The Ducks were handed their most recent setback in Friday’s test against the Wild. Brian Rolston recorded a goal and two assists to lead Minnesota to a 5-2 triumph at the Honda Center.

Brad May and Todd Bertuzzi tallied for Anaheim, while Jean-Sebastien Giguere allowed three goals on nine shots before being replaced by Jonas Hiller, who finished the game with eight saves.

The Ducks are 9-6-3 as the home team this season.

Meanwhile, the Sharks were knocked out of first place in the Pacific Division on Saturday, as they were handed a 4-2 setback by visiting Dallas. Brenden Morrow and Mike Ribeiro each had a goal and an assist as the Stars rallied past San Jose.

Devin Setoguchi and Patrick Rissmiller scored for the Sharks, who had won six of their last seven games before Saturday’s setback. San Jose netminder Evgeni Nabokov ended with 18 saves.

The Stars lead the Pacific with 40 points, San Jose is two points back and the Ducks are running third with 34 points.

The Sharks are 11-3-2 as the visiting team this season and have won five straight on the road.

Anaheim is 2-0 against the Sharks this year and has taken four of five, six of eight and seven of the last 10 meetings. San Jose has also been handed defeats in two of three and four of its previous six stops in Orange County.

12/16 10:53:57 ET

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