Ducks recall Ray Emery . . . possibly to start Wednesday

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Goaltender Ray Emery, assigned by the Ducks to Syracuse of the American Hockey League over the weekend to regain his game sharpness, was recalled Monday after leading the Crunch to a second straight victory. His return to the NHL could be imminent, perhaps as soon as the Ducks’ game Wednesday against the New York Rangers at Honda Center.

Emery stopped 27 of 28 shots Monday in a win against the Texas Stars, less than 48 hours after he had stopped 40 of 41 shots in a victory at San Antonio. He was traveling back to Southern California Monday evening.

Goalie J.P. Levasseur, who backed up Dan Ellis Sunday in the Ducks’ 3-0 loss to Vancouver, was returned to Syracuse.

Emery was signed by the Ducks Feb. 7 for goaltending depth and was assigned to Syracuse, where he played three games. But Jonas Hiller’s lingering problems with vertigo forced the Ducks to scramble their goaltending plans. Unsure whether Emery was ready to play at the NHL level again after undergoing hip surgery last April, they acquired Ellis from Tampa Bay and installed him as the starter.

Ellis has started five straight games and will need to rest at some point. With Emery back in the rhythm of playing after two good performances for Syracuse, it’s possible he will get the start and Ellis will get to watch Wednesday.

Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle never announces his starting goalie in advance, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Wednesday’s game, incidentally, has been moved back to a 7:35 p.m. start instead of 7:05 p.m. at the request of Fox TV.

--Helene Elliott