Ducks' DiPenta is ready at all times

Even though the Ducks' defenseman has found a place in the NHL after five years in the minor leagues with three organizations, DiPenta has had to fight off challenges by younger, more talented players to keep his roster spot.

And with the Ducks opting to sign Mathieu Schneider last summer along with welcoming back Scott Niedermayer from his dance with retirement, DiPenta has been a regular fixture in the press box.

The 29-year-old journeyman hasn't complained and he was rewarded with a spot in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Kings, his first since Feb. 2 against Philadelphia.

"When you're in a situation like I was in, you try as best as you can to stay in shape when you get the call," DiPenta said. "You kind of have to take on a different role and support the team any way you can. Whatever you can do to try to make a contribution.

"It's hard. It's definitely hard. It's a tough role to fill. Everyone wants to play. But you try to make the most of the chances when they come."

DiPenta did the most with his. He delivered his first goal of the season and sixth of his NHL career with a first-period shot that got past Kings goalie Dan Cloutier.

If there was anyone happier than the defenseman, it was his teammates on the bench.

"You could see that the whole bench got a huge lift out of it," Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle said. "That's what you can do with Joe. He's the kind of guy that can sit for extended periods of time but his routine does not change. His preparation and his commitment to the team and his teammates will never waver.

"We've had Joe for three years now, and we understand what makes him tick. He's a professional athlete. He prepares himself day in and day out. You'd think it was going to be Game 7 of the Stanley Cup playoffs. That's the way he prepares."

DiPenta's work ethic is widely respected in the dressing room.

"I've never heard him say one word negative overall," Teemu Selanne said. "That's why I think he's Randy's boy. Randy knows exactly what he gets from him. I don't know how many guys that can do what he's doing."

Alas, DiPenta's time didn't last. He was a healthy scratch Sunday, along with center Doug Weight and defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron.

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As expected, Todd Marchant sat out because of a bruised foot suffered Saturday when he was hit on a shot by the Kings' Lubomir Visnovsky on the first shift of the game.

Marchant played four more shifts in the first period after that but didn't play again. He is expected to be ready for Thursday.

"That's why they call me the puck magnet around here," he said.

The veteran rebounded to play in 75 games this season after appearing in a career-low 53 in 2006-07.

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Earlier this season, Jean-Sebastien Giguere established club goalie records for most career wins and shutouts. With the regular season complete, the veteran added a couple more to his growing list.

Giguere set a single-season mark with a 2.12 goals-against average, besting the 2.13 he compiled in 2001-02. His save percentage of .9224 edged the previous mark set by Guy Hebert (.9219) in 1998-99.

eric.stephens@latimes.com