Backups provide surprise offense

With Chris Pronger out because of a broken bone in his left toe, the Ducks knew they would need defensemen Ric Jackman and Joe DiPenta to step in and play larger roles.

As expected, Jackman and DiPenta did see a spike in their playing time but no one expected both would score goals Wednesday night to lead the Ducks to a 2-1 victory over Phoenix.

With seven defensemen on the roster, the two journeymen have fought to stay in the lineup. Now they are presented with an opportunity to impress Coach Randy Carlyle. Pronger is expected to be out at least two weeks.

“Any time you’re on the ice, it’s an audition,” said Jackman, who has been scratched in eight of the last 15 games. “Obviously I want to prove to the coaching staff that I can play night in and night out. We’re going to need everybody when the playoffs come. We’re going to need everyone in this dressing room.”

Jackman said he welcomes the opportunity to play, which was something he didn’t get with Florida before coming to Anaheim in a Jan. 2 trade.

DiPenta, the more defense-oriented of the two, said he’s aware that more will be expected from the entire back line while Pronger is sidelined.

“Definitely, we feel some pressure because Chris is a big-time player,” DiPenta said. “It’s impossible to fill his shoes completely but each one of us has to pick up our game a little bit and try to fill in for Chris until he gets back. It’s part of being a hockey team.”

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Brad May made an impression in his first full game with the Ducks. In 9 minutes 38 seconds of ice time, May had two shots on goal and one crushing hit on Phoenix rookie Yanick Lehoux. The veteran agitator played on a line with rookies Ryan Shannon and Tim Brent.

“We know that he’s a physical player,” Carlyle said of May on Thursday. “He has to be that way to be effective for us.”

TONIGHT

vs. Edmonton, 7, Ch. 56

Site -- Honda Center.

Radio -- 830.

Records -- Ducks 40-17-11; Oilers 30-31-6.

Record vs. Oilers -- 2-1-0.

Update -- Injury-ravaged Edmonton has managed only three goals in losing four straight home games since trading Ryan Smyth to the New York Islanders.

Tickets -- (877) 945-3946.

eric.stephens@latimes.com