The birth of his daughter, Veera, on Dec. 5, was a milestone in Selanne’s decision to return.  “Oh it was huge,” he said Friday after practice at Honda Center. “I tried to use that as a timeline that, before that I’m not going to think about anything. I’m going to just live a normal life.”  His mini-retirement provided the same sort of tonic that the season off during the lockout did. Selanne had been hampered by a knee injury the previous season, 2003-4, with the Colorado Avalanche. His output fell to 16 goals and 32 points, and there were concerns that his days as the Finnish Flash were over. Then came the lockout and a yearlong opportunity to recharge physically and emotionally.  “If you look at the lockout year, obviously I was on a big mission to get my body and my knee 100 percent,” he said. “But I think, mentally-wise, that gave me for sure a couple of extra years. Obviously you get a fresh start and you get your mind so hungry for hockey again.”  Earlier this season, he attended a few games and found that his mind was growing hungry for hockey. He returned Feb. 5, against the Islanders.  “Sometimes you can reset everything and you don’t have to think about what you do tomorrow,” Selanne said. “Pretty much seven months, I woke up every morning and I didn’t have to do anything. I think that was very important when it comes to recharging the batteries and getting your body and mind feeling normal again.”  Is this the best he has felt this late in the season?  “Actually, last week or so I started feeling really good again,” he said, adding: “But mentally? So fresh. That’s the best thing. I think that will really pay off later. Physically, I’m starting to feel really comfortable.”  The Ducks began the season slowly, but picked up their play once Niedermayer returned Dec. 16. With Selanne back, the Ducks’ lineup is intact, along with the off-season additions of the power forward Todd Bertuzzi and the offensive defenseman Mathieu Schneider.  After a 6-3 victory against Chicago on Sunday, when Selanne had three goals and two assists, the Ducks were second in the Pacific Division, only 4 points behind Dallas, and fourth in the Western Conference standings.  “The team’s playing well,” Selanne said. “When Scotty came back, it was a big boost for the team, and I tried to use my comeback as a boost, too. I think we have all the pieces pretty close.”  Selanne has 6 goals and 11 points in 10 games, but he said his game was still rounding into form — something that takes game experience to refine.  “When it comes, it’s got to be here,” he said. “The good thing is I have a lot of chances lately. I feel energized. It’s coming.”  A version of this article appears in print on , on Page C16 of the National edition with the headline: Selanne Was Clearly Not Ready To Retire. Order Reprints| Today's Paper|Subscribe
After Sunday’s game, the Ducks have won 9 of 10 games since Teemu Selanne’s return. They had been winless in their previous six. Coincidence?