Getzlaf Misses 3rd Straight Game But Close To Return From Upper-Body Injury

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf is nearing a return from an upper-body injury.

Getzlaf missed his third straight game Thursday night at Tampa Bay, but took part in the morning skate.

After Thursday's game with the Lightning, Anaheim continues its trip Friday night at Carolina before playing Pittsburgh on Monday night.

"If not (Friday), hopefully Monday," Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau said. "He's getting close."

Getzlaf has 10 goals (12th) and 12 assists (16th) in 18 games this season.

Ducks right wing Corey Perry sat out the morning skate due to the flu, but was in the lineup against the Lightning.

The flu has impacted the Ducks recently, slowing a number of players including goalie Jonas Hiller.

The Ducks have reassigned goalie Frederik Andersen to their AHL affiliate despite his 6-1 start to his NHL career.

The NHL-leading Ducks also assigned defenseman Sami Vatanen to Norfolk while recalling center Peter Holland and goalie Viktor Fasth.

Andersen is the first NHL goalie to win the first six decisions of his career since Damian Rhodes did it for Toronto in the early 1990s. The Danish goalie had a 1.66 goals-against average with a .943 save percentage while backing up Hiller.

Fasth hasn't played since Oct. 16 with a lower-body injury. He began the season 2-1 with a 3.33 GAA.

Vatanen has five points in 17 games for the Ducks.

Holland returns to the Ducks after scoring one goal in four games earlier this season.

Fasth was Hiller's backup Thursday, while Holland was scratched.