After winning their fourth game in a row with a 5-2 victory over Colorado, the Ducks focused on taking their show on the road.  Next up is a three game Canadian stint.

"It's either going to make us or break us," said Bobby Ryan.  "I think this trip is going to tell us a lot about ourselves.  We've got to start in Calgary with two points and then go from there."

Ryan, who was out with flu-like symptoms last night, but anticipates being healthy enough to play on Tuesday night, missed Teemu Selanne's historic moment of scoring 600 goals, only the 18^th person to do so.  With the way he felt, he did not care that he missed it.

"I turned (the game) on for about 10 minutes, watched that happen, then turned it right back off," said Ryan, who was well enough to skate at the morning practice.  "I was happy for him, that's for sure.  At the time I didn't even care.  Now, it kind of stinks to have missed it.  Sometimes that's the way it goes."

While most of the veterans were missing, having been given the morning off, there were two others who were on the ice this morning.  Defenseman, Jake Newton, and center, Nick Bonino.  Newton signed with the Ducks last week and Bonino, acquired in a trade with San Jose last year at the deadline, just signed a two-year contract.

Both 21-year-old players were collegiate stand-outs.  Newton played at Northeastern University and Bonino for Boston College.  Both described being with the Ducks as "surreal."

The experience they will gain with the Ducks, from now until the end of the season, will be invaluable as they go forward.

"This is just an opportunity after their season to get a taste about what life is like in the NHL," said coach Randy Carlyle.  "You get to practice with our hockey club.  They are getting acclimated with Sean Skahan, our strength and conditioning coach.  Learn more of the routine that we like to do.  Go over some of the system stuff that we talk about and how we like to play in this situation and that situation.  They are basically here to be a sponge right now."

Whether or not they will get an opportunity to play in a game before the season ends depends on a lot of variables.  Regardless, the youngsters, who will be joining the Ducks on their road trip, will be much better prepared when they have their first official training camp in September.

"It's always a benefit if you can get to know some of your teammates and get to know some of the people you're planning on working with," Carlyle continued.  "They see that there's competition for our players to stay in the line-up. There is competition on the ice looking for a playoff spot.  The desperation, the level it gets to.  All those things are experiences from a pro standpoint vs. a collegiate or amateur standpoint."

Matt Beleskey, who filled in for Ryan on the top line last night, understands competing for a spot in the line-up.

"Every year you don't have a spot, that's for sure, especially being a young guy like me," said Beleskey, who is the same age as Bonino and Newton.  "I'm still fighting my way in here and trying to make a name for myself.  You see these young guys and you know they're going to be competition.  You're going to try to help them out, but at the same time you're working hard to make yourself better."

Right now, all of the Ducks are working hard towards making the playoffs.  Putting together a four-game winning streak is a good start.

"I just think that we are playing more of the up-tempo game," Carlyle observed.  "We have a lot more energy.  For whatever reason, that was missing for a number of games.  We've given up some first goals in the game but we've still been able to battle back, stay with it.  That's the most encouraging thing.  Just keep pushing forward.  Take it one game at a time."

As long as the Ducks are winning, they will continue to give themselves a chance.   That, right now, is the only thing they can control.

A collective sigh of relief could be felt when Teemu Selanne finally scored goal #600 at :34 seconds into the second period.  It was a power play goal, #216 of Selanne's career that moves him in sole possession of 10th place on the all-time list.  The trivia answers will be Scott Niedermayer and Corey Perry with the assists.  Colorado Avalanche goaltender Craig Anderson was the goaltender who let the puck in. 

"I guess that was the easiest that I have had in a while," Selanne said amidst a throng of reporters and photographers after the game.  "It's funny how it works.  I've that I have had a lot of chances the last three or four games, but nothing was going in.  Then you get one of those on a great effort from Corey and Scotty."

Mayhem, joy, celebration!  Not just on the ice, but in the stands and even a few standing in the press box to acknowledge the accomplishment.   That made the game against Colorado 3-0, but at the moment it seemed like a side note to what really mattered. 

In the end, a 5-2 victory over the Avalanche and two more points in the standings, in a situation where all the games are must-win, were just the icing on the cake.

Unlike the last time these two teams met on March 3, the Ducks did not give up a two goal lead.  Their specialty teams kicked in, scoring three power play goals and one short-handed goal.  Jonas Hiller made 26 saves and it was an overall strong group effort.   

Jason Blake got his second power play goal in as many games at 4:43 of the first period.  He worked hard with the puck behind the net and to get it in front of the net before putting it in past Anderson. 

Then Matt Beleskey got his eighth goal of the year filling in for Bobby Ryan (out with "flu-like" symptoms) on the top line.  The set-up was a beauty from Ryan Getzlaf, who dropped the puck back to Beleskey.  Beleskey was perfectly situated in the slot to finish off the one-timer at 11:43.  Like Blake, it was Beleskey's second goal in as many games.

The Ducks finished the period in the middle of a power play, with John-Michael Liles in the box for hooking.  When the Ducks resumed their power play, it only took :34 seconds for history to be made. 

Anderson was sprawled, trying to prevent a chance from Perry.  Perry managed to get the puck to Niedermayer, who then dished it to Selanne.  

"I knocked it to him," said Niedermayer, who earned his 200th assist as a Duck on the play.  "He did the rest.  He knows how to score goals.  It's a great accomplishment.  Not many guys have done that."

15,528 was the announced crowd.  That meant 1,646 more could have been in the building to witness the 18th person scoring 600 goals and only the third European, after Jaromir Jagr and fellow Finn, Jari Kurri. 

Coach Randy Carlyle, who was a teammate of Selanne's during the Finnish Flash's rookie year in Winnipeg, had the privilege of seeing the very first goal scored as well as #600. 

"It seems like a long time ago," said Carlyle, "but it really isn't.  This is what he was born and bred to do.  He can score from anywhere."

Selanne, who had eight more shots on goal tonight, credited his teammates.

"The way my linemates were feeding me has been amazing," said Selanne, truly enjoying the moment.  "I think they wanted this more than I did!  It's a great feeling."

Carlyle expressed gratitude that #600 had been scored so that they could "turn the page" and move forward.

The Ducks did not let up.  Later in the second period, Troy Bodie got his first short-handed goal ever at 12:45.  Chris Stewart bumbled the puck and Bodie roofed it behind Anderson to make it 4-0.  That was it for the goaltender who has been a huge part of Colorado's unexpected success this year.  Peter Budaj was inserted in the net and he did his part admirably, keeping the Avs in the game.

"They came out pretty good," said Anderson.  "Anytime you go down by a couple of goals, it's tough to climb back into the game."

Colorado did try to climb back.  Early in the third period Darcy Tucker had a very nice shot that made it past Hiller at 2:06.  Then at 5:15, Ruslan Salei brought the Avs within two goals.  That was all they could muster.

Getzlaf got the third power play goal of the game at 7:50, with Selanne assisting.  Free wings at Hooters for the fans for the second game in a row. 

Most important of all was the win that keeps the Ducks in the playoff hunt.  As long as they continue to win games, there is still a chance.  Now if a few teams would lose a couple games, that might help, but the Ducks can only control what they do.  So far, they are getting the job done.

Ahead is a Canadian road trip with three games in four days.  More points to be won and they won't be easy. 

The Ducks needed it.  The Islanders wanted it just as bad.   In the end, the win went to determination and will in a 5-4 overtime victory. 

For a while, it seemed as if the focus of the Ducks was "help Teemu Selanne get #600," rather than "let's win the game and who cares who scores."  New York had absolutely no desire to be a footnote in Selanne's milestone.

Richard Park put the Islanders on the board at 9:53 of the first period, but the Ducks answered right back with a goal from Matt Beleskey just :17 seconds later.  

Lubomir Visnovsky, continuing to prove his worth since being acquired from Edmonton at the trade deadline, added another goal at 18:09, with an assist from Selanne.  The Ducks were rewarded after having an exceptionally long shift in New York's end.

The Ducks did not have the lead for long as Kyle Okposo got the first of two goals in the game with less than minute to go in the period.  His shot from behind the net bounced off of Visnovsky, who was in front of Jonas Hiller, and deflected into the net.

Okposo gave the Islanders the lead back :07 seconds into their first power play.  The puck trickled through Hiller's legs at 2:42. John Tavares was there at the side of the net waiting for a rebound, but it wasn't needed.  Coach Randy Carlyle pulled Hiller at that point and inserted Curtis McElhinney to shake things up.

Tavares made it 4-2 on the Islanders' second power play at 14:31 late in the period.  They took that lead going into the third, but historically the Islanders have not been great defensively in the final 20 minutes of games. 

The Ducks got a power play goal at 9:53 from Jason Blake, who tipped in Steve Eminger's shot from the blue line.  It was the first power play goal for the Ducks since March 7 against Montreal, having gone 0 for seemingly far too many.  Perhaps they would have scored one sooner if they hadn't been so focused on passing the puck to Teemu as often as possible rather than just shooting it.

After an especially flat and frustrating first 40 minutes, the Ducks finally figured it out in the third.  They outshot the Islanders 14 - 2 in the final frame and while it took a while, they were rewarded for their efforts.

Visnovsky did it again with the game-tying goal at 19:28.  Again, the assist came from Selanne.  McElhinney was pulled for the extra attacker and Visnovsky did the seemingly impossibly by putting the puck past Martin Biron with his wicked shot from the blue line.  It was Visnovsky's first multi-goal game since December 29, 2006 with LA. 

The Ducks wasted no time in overtime.  Saku Koivu picked up a turnover from Bruno Gervais and you just knew his breakaway attempt was going to go in the net.  It only took :14 for the Ducks to get the win and the much needed two points in the standings. 

The Ducks have moved up two spots to 11th place and are now just seven points out of a playoff spot. 

In other notes:  Ryan Getzlaf returned to the line-up after missing one game with a re-injured ankle.

As expected, Anaheim Ducks defenseman, James Wisniewski, was handed an eight-game suspension for his hit on Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook.

The hit came early in the second period of Wednesday night's game between the two teams in response to Seabrook's hit on Corey Perry.  Wisniewski, who claimed after the game that he was just finishing his check, came all the way from the blue line to careen Seabrook into the end boards.  Seabrook then crumpled to the ice, looking as if he had at least momentarily lost consciousness.

Wisniewski had a hearing with Colin Campbell on Thursday morning.  The conference call included Wisniewski, Campbell, Ducks GM Bob Murray and the player's agent.

It did not take long to get the phone call back with the verdict.

The suspension was over five games, meaning that Wisniewski could have asked for a face-to-face meeting with Campbell.

Wisniewski is a repeat offender and was suspended for two games last November for a forearm to the head of Shane Doan during an October 31 game against the Phoenix Coyotes.

While clearly remorseful of his actions after the game, especially as Seabrook is a good friend and former teammate, Wisniewski was nonetheless of the opinion that he had done nothing wrong.   Unless you were wearing a Ducks uniform or employed by the team, no one else seemed to agree.

Wisniewski continued to defend his actions after Thursday's practice.

"The only thing I worry about is there was no intention of having what happened happen," he said. "I didn't go in there with the intention to hurt. I just thought it was basically a hockey play. I thought the puck was there. This is a fast game. I didn't use my elbows. I didn't try to hit him in the head. I didn't hit him in the head. I really think my face collided with his and that was the result of what happened."

Wisniewski only earned a minor penalty for charging on the play, but the ferocity of the hit could easily have merited a major penalty and a game misconduct.  Instead, after repairing his cut nose and cheek, sliced open by his visor when he made impact with Seabrook, Wisniewski returned and finished out the game.

Seabrook was not so fortunate.  He went to the locker room and did not return due to the vague and nebulous "upper body injury."  It is unknown how long Seabrook will be out of the line up.

Wisniewski will now have more than half of the remaining season to sit and contemplate his actions further.  Maybe by then he can come to terms with his foolish actions that resulted in yet another players' senseless injury.

Yes, he stood up for his teammate, which was a good thing.  But the response was above and beyond what was called for and the results were definitely not what was intended for all involved.

It's been a tough week for the Chicago Blackhawks.  On Sunday, Brian Campbell broke his collar bone and a rib after a hit by Alexander Ovechkin that earned him a two-game suspension.  Tonight, they lost Brent Seabrook to an "upper body injury" (more on that later).  The final indignity was losing their third game in a row, this time a 4-2 loss to the Ducks.  

For the Ducks, they needed those two points desperately to keep their waning playoff hopes alive.

"We can't let up for one minute," said Todd Marchant.  "We know our situation and where we're at.  We have to keep pushing.  You never know what game or point could cost you in the end." 

Bobby Ryan got his 30th goal of the year at 4:08.  Ryan Carter, filling in on the top line for Ryan Getzlaf (day to day with a reinjured ankle), and Corey Perry did all the work.  Birthday boy, Bobby, finished things off behind Blackhawks back-up Corey Crawford.  That makes his second consecutive 30 goal season.

"It's a nice milestone," said Ryan.  "Nicer for two points for us."

Despite what the shots on goal read, it seemed like Chicago was in the Ducks end most of the first period (and the second and the third).  It was no surprise when Seabrook took advantage of a defensive breakdown and tied up the game at 11:16.

Seabrook did not contribute any more to the game after being the victim of an awful hit from James Wisniewski at 2:22 of the second period.  Seabrook had hit Perry hard along the boards and Wisniewski was clearly sticking up for his teammate by taking it out on his former Chicago teammate.  Wisniewski came in at Seabrook, who was at the end boards, from nearly the blue line, colliding heads and following through with his arms to finish the job.

Seabrook could have been renamed "See Stars." Looking just like a staged bar fight in an old Western movie where the guy gets clocked and crumples to the ground.  Except this was no movie and it wasn't choreographed.  That brief moment of unconsciousness was real.  Seabrook went to the bench and then to the locker room, not to return. 

Duncan Keith immediately went to task on Wisniewski, who promptly pummeled Keith to the ice.  The amazing thing was that the referees only called charging and fighting on Wisniewski.  No major penalty.  No game misconduct.  Wisniewski, who was suspended two games in November for a hit on Shane Doan will have to wait and see if there is further judgement on this one. 

"He's one of my real good buddies," commented a seemingly remorseful Wisniewski.  "I saw the replay and I was shocked to see the result of that.  That's something I don't want to ever see happen."

The best revenge is scoring, but while on a power play, Crawford made a gamble and lost.  He came way out of the net to play the puck, but Kyle Chipchura stole the puck from him.  Marchant made certain that he put the puck in the open net at 6:27, despite several Blackhawks players attempting to protect the crease.  Third shorthanded goal of the year for Marchant and #28 of his career.

"I can't take any credit for it," said Marchant.  "Chipper made a great play."

The Blackhawks did tie things up early in the third period.  Applying even more pressure to Anaheim, Marian Hossa deflected in Keith's shot with a stick that was parallel to the crossbar at 5:12.  It was reviewed, but Hossa's stick was clearly not above the crossbar and the goal was good.  Game tied 2-2.

Chicago kept shooting.  Jonas Hiller kept making saves.  38 for the game.  The pipes saved a couple, too.

The Ducks took advantage of their opportunities, though.  Lubomir Visnovsky popped up the puck high and Perry retrieved it, despite having Brent Sopel to contend with.  Sopel went down like he was shot, hoping to get a call on Perry, but Perry got the puck to Saku Koivu who put it in the net at 14:24.  It proved to be the eventual game winner.  The Blackhawks liked neither the goal nor the perceived non-call preceding it.

"Bobby and Perry were doing a great job down low," said Koivu.  "The puck just popped between the circles and I was able to get a good shot, a one-timer."

The final indignity was an empty net goal from Ryan at 19:07 for the insurance marker.  Wisniewski drew an assist and another fight, this time with former Duck, Nick Boynton, who was acquired by Chicago at the trade deadline and was called up after Campbell's injury. 

"Guys got dirty and found ways to get it done," commented Ryan.

Coach Randy Carlyle was pleased with his team's effort. 

"It was an emotional game and both teams were desperate for points," said Carlyle.  "We knew with them coming in here an dhaving lost their last two hockey games that they were going to be a little bit of a grouchy hockey club.  We have to be grouchy in the situation we're in.  It was two teams competing and when the physical element of the game gets up there, it's up to people to respond."

Their next opportunity for grouchy, emotional, physical play will be on Friday night against the New York Islanders.  Perhaps then Teemu Selanne can notch goal #600.  He registered five shots on goal.  None of them went in, much to the frustration of the fans.  For a player who has averaged a goal every other game, you just know it's going to come eventually.

In other notes:  Kyle Calder, who had been brought from the Toronto Marlies on an emergency recall, was sent back today as Teemu Selanne was deemed ready to go in the game.

As great as the game was against San Jose on Sunday night, there was still a heavy cloud hovering over the Ducks.  The Ducks are currently 10 points out of a playoff spot and both Ryan Getzlaf and Teemu Selanne were injured during the game.

The good news was that Selanne practiced with the team on Tuesday.  His diagnosis was a sore shoulder and a bruised spot on his head that he got when he careened into the boards early in the third period.  Luckily he did not go head first, or it could have been a more serious injury.

Selanne is a "distinct possibility" for Wednesday night against Chicago.  Since he scored #599 on Sunday, the next goal is a big one and in an ideal world, he would like to score #600 at home in front of the fans.  But reaching that milestone is not his motivation to get back into the line-up.

"We still have a chance to make the playoffs," said Selanne, always the optimist.  "I want us to have a chance.  You never know what's going to happen.  That's the main thing.  As an individual you want to try to help as much you can.  This situation is like a playoff run.  You've got to find a way to play."

Getzlaf, who did not skate with the team, was also antsy about returning to the line-up.  He re-tweaked his left ankle, but it is not as bad as his original injury was back in February.   He will be assessed tomorrow to see if he is able to go.

"It's definitely a strong possibility that I will be playing," said Getzlaf.  "Especially with the situation that we're in.  We're fighting for our lives right now and I'm going to do whatever I can to help tomorrow night. We're in a situation where we need to win hockey games and obviously we'll do what's best for the team and that situation that we're in."

If neither Getzlaf nor Selanne are available, Kyle Calder was recalled on an emergency basis from the Toronto Marlies and would be available to play.  Because he is on an emergency recall, he did not have to clear re-entry waivers.

On Sunday, the Ducks were described by San Jose coach, Todd McLellan, as being a "grumpy, growly team."

After practice, coach Randy Carlyle described the Chicago Blackhawks as "very grouchy," due to losing their past two games.  Grumpy, growly or grouchy, teams wanting to break a losing streak are dangerous teams.

"For us to continue to take steps forward, we're going to have to play the game to a higher level than we played the other night," said Carlyle.

First step was San Jose.  Next step Chicago.   Don't step back.

Sunday was CHOC Night at the Honda Center and after the first period, it appeared that the medical staff brought their electro shock paddles and gave the Ducks a wake-up jolt.  For a team that looked like it was dead after losing five games in a row, there was still a little bit of life in them.

The Sharks had played the night before in San Jose, but this was the first time in four games that the Ducks took advantage of a tired team and finished off what they started.  San Jose might have dominated Anaheim all season, seemingly extra motivated after losing to the Ducks in the first round of the playoffs last spring, but tonight the Ducks changed direction.  A 4-2 victory prevented a San Jose sweep of the season series, something that had not happened since the 1997-1998 season.

Corey Perry put the Ducks on the board at 3:27 by lifting the puck up and over Evgeni Nabokov.  Bobby Ryan had his shot stopped by Nabokov's blocker pads and the goalie had already fallen backwards into the net, thinking the puck was underneath him.  Perry swooped in and finished things off.  It was the first lead in three games for the Ducks.

At 7:40, Teemu Selanne got goal #599 with a beautiful finish (Finnish?) of a Saku Koivu pass.  He tried valiantly to add #600 and came close at least three times.  After catching an edge in the third period and landing awkwardly, Selanne did not return to make the milestone in this game.  He was diagnosed with an upper body injury and will be evaluated further on Monday.

"We've got to find a way to keep playing like that," Selanne astutely commented between the first and second periods.

They did.

Selanne also added an assist on the third goal of the first period, assist #646 of his career for 57th best.  The assist came on Lubomir Visnovsky's third goal as a Duck, but the credit all goes to Dan Sexton.

Big Sexy finally got off the third and fourth line and found his spark again on the second line.  Regardless of what he's listed at, 5'8" 170 pound Sexton had a humongous hip check sending 6'4" 230 pound Joe Thornton topsy turvy into the boards.  Sexton then chased down the puck, speeding in on Nabokov.  He picked up the puck and tossed it back to Visnovsky, who was in the middle of the blue line.  Visnovsky let off the shot, which hopped past Nabokov at 19:05, sending the Honda Center into a frenzy and causing concern in overconfident Sharks fans.

"I saw (Thornton) coming and just tried to put a hip into him," said Sexton.  "Wasn't expecting to knock him down.  Usually I'm the one that goes down.  I guess it looked better than it probably was.  We scored right after that.  I guess that's a little more important!"

San Jose, who might have underestimated the Ducks just a teensy tiny bit, found their second wind in the middle period and starting throwing everything at Jonas Hiller.  Hiller either saw everything or had the shots blocked in front of him.

The Sharks refused to give up and finally put one behind Hiller at 9:06.  Jamie McGinn got the puck out from behind he net and Thornton came screaming down the slot to finish it off.  3-1 Sharks and suddenly the San Jose contingent in the building work up.

 An empty net goal from Ryan seemed to put the game away at 18:47, but McGinn made it 4-2 at 19:04.  The Sharks threw everything at Hiller, but he saved everything else to preserve the win.  The first win since February 14.

"We've got to play that way every time," said Hiller about the aggressive game.  "Staying back is not working for us.  We have to have the emotions.  We have to play physical.  Then we'll get our chances."

Now the key is for the Ducks to play like that for the remaining 14 games in the season.  They are not mathematically eliminated, but they are still eight points out of a playoff spot and unlikely to make them up.  If they play like this the rest of the way, the Ducks can certainly make it interesting.

In other notes:  Ryan Getzlaf re-tweaked his ankle during the game and left during the third period.  He is listed as day-to-day and will be re-evaluated tomorrow as well.

CHOC Night was a success overall, honoring Anaheim's partnership with the local Children's Hospital.  Special autographed jersey CHOCO bears were on sale for $60 each.  You could text "CHOC" to 90999 on your phone to donate $5.00 to the organization.  The entire dasherboards were devoted to CHOC for the evening, something that all the other advertising sponsors happily agreed to do and the first time ever in NHL history.   CHOC patients skated out and stood with the starting line-up of players during the National Anthem.

Five losses in a row.  Not a single win in March.  The Ducks got the wrong memo.  They were supposed to finish the final 20 games strong and make it into the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.  There are 15 games to go, and the only description for Anaheim is lame Ducks. 

Nashville, a team that has struggled in Anaheim, managed a 1-0 shutout thanks to a 31 save performance by goaltender Pekke Rinne. 

"It's not an easy place to play," said Shea Weber, who had the game's only goal.  "They've always had good teams in here.  It's tough but we did a good job of limited them and getting the goals we needed."

The Ducks?   Not so good tonight.  Again. Couldn't find the net and couldn't find enough emotion to make a difference.

"As a group, we don't seem to be engaged emotionally in the hockey game," coach Randy Carlyle said, clearly disappointed in his team's effort.  "There is for spurts, but not for 60 minutes. That's what's really been frustrating for everybody.  The bench is quiet, the room is quiet.  It's like we're waiting for something bad to happen."

The Ducks certainly got their chances.  The problem was they went smack into Rinne's glove, went wide or just generally were kept out by a strange force field protecting the Nashville net. 

The Predators, who were shellacked 8-5 by the Sharks on Thursday, did not meet up with a similar fate.  Then again, having a 5 on 3 advantage usually makes it much easier to score on your opponent.  Shea Weber did just that at 17:54, giving Nashville a 1-0 lead.

Ryan Getzlaf, who seems to be making as many errors as good moves of late, was the second man in the penalty box when he took a high sticking penalty.

"I think a lot of it has to do with lack of moving his feet," was Carlyle's analysis.  "He's making more plays standing still.  I think that was more of a frustration thing (the high sticking penalty)."

Getzlaf acknowledged his culpability.

"The penalties hurt us. It wasn't like we thought it was going to be the deciding factor, but everything can be.  That is something that we have to realize as a group, myself included."

Now the Ducks have to face San Jose on Sunday.  They haven't won a single game against their Pacific Division rival and things don't appear likely to change in the final meeting between the two teams this season. 

The focus on Sunday will be CHOC night.  Autographed Choco bears will be on sale for $60 each.  All the signage on the boards will be highlighting CHOC hospital. 

Maybe CHOC can do some triage on the team and see if there is a pulse.  It is difficult to discern any life at this point.

The Ducks have been dismal since the Olympic break ended.  After their most recent loss to Columbus on Tuesday, they took the day off on Wednesday to regroup, refocus and put the past behind them.

"Our group seemed to be worn down, from a physical standpoint and a mental standpoint," said coach Randy Carlyle.  "So we thought we'd take yesterday and then some video before practice of some areas for improvement and an understanding of the way we were playing and how we have to change."

The day off seemed to have done the job and the players seemed to have more energy in their hour-long practice.

"I thought it was a good group today," Bobby Ryan commented after practice. "Guys were a little lighter, it was a loose atmosphere and that's important.  We addressed some issues on the ice that we needed to work on, but we still had some fun and got some things done."

One of the things the Ducks were working on in preparation for Nashville tomorrow night was the power play and the penalty killing.

In the past three games, the Ducks have gone 1 for 15 on the power play.  In the past four games, they have only killed 13 of 19 penalties.   Something clearly isn't working.

"It's a huge concern for us," said Carlyle.  "Probably two months ago, we changed up our neutral ice and we tried to become more aggressive.  It has worked well at times.  Then in other games it's really cost us and a thorn in our side, specifically these last four games."

Specialty teams should help you out when things are going bad.  In this case, specialty teams are just part of the problem.

"Our overall play isn't where it needs to be at this point," Carlyle observed.  "If everybody could improve 10% - 15%, then collectively we would play much stronger, give ourselves more of a chance."

Right now the Ducks seem to have the proverbial snowball's chance in you-know-where of making the playoffs.

But never say never.  And righting the ship can begin tomorrow night against Nashville, who currently resides in 7^th place in the Western Conference.   Like Columbus, Nashville will also be on the second of back-to-back games.

"It's a four point game and two points we desperately need," said Ryan bluntly.  "It's important to take advantage of them early.  Get in there and let their D know it's going to be a long night.  Hopefully get a lead before they find that second wind and that adrenaline that comes about halfway through the second."

Not only do the Ducks need to get the lead (they had a 2-0 lead against Colorado and a 3-0 lead against Montreal before blowing them), but they also need to keep the lead and finish off the game.

With a fresh perspective and renewed energy, the Ducks seem ready for the task.  The real test though, comes not in practice, but in practical application.   Tomorrow night will determine if the Ducks were prepared.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are out of the playoff picture.  They played the night before, whereas the Ducks were rested.  They had their butts handed to them, 6-0, by the Kings.  They put in a back-up goaltender.

All systems go for the Ducks to get a critical win at home, right?  WRONG!

Historically, the Ducks have played to the level of their opponents.  They seem to be able to elevate their game against a stronger opponent, but they sink to the level of a lesser foe.  They have struggled against back-up goalies as well.

In last night's 5-2 defeat, the Ducks really were the lesser foe.  It did not help that Mathieu Garon was stellar for the Blue Jackets in net.  Jonas Hiller?  Chased from the net after the third goal went in.

The Ducks were flat, once again, from the start.  And unlike the last game where they gave up a lead, this time they never even had one to protect.

Derek Dorsett put the Blue Jackets on the board at 8:55 on a delayed penalty call.  With the extra attacker, Columbus stormed the net and Dorsett picked up the loose puck and stuck it behind Hiller.  Dorsett then proceeded to the penalty box after taking on Matt Beleskey in a fight, just the beginning of the animosity between the teams that led to a combined 76 minutes when all was said and done.

The Ducks could have had a 2-1 lead going into the second, but Garon made two impossible saves.  The first on Dan Sexton, the second on Bobby Ryan.  Both times players swore they were goals, only to be cruelly denied.  Fans knew things were not going well and booed Anaheim loudly after the first period.  Never a good sign.

Jakub Voracek made it 2-0 on the power play at 8:14 of the second, catching Hiller "guessing" what he was going to do, rather than reacting.  The Swiss goalie, who has looked tired since returning from the Olympics was further left out to dry by teammates when Fedor Tyutin scored at 13:07.  That was it for Hiller and Curtis McElhinney, acquired at the trade deadline from Calgary, was sent in.  Hiller's look of disgust on the bench said it all.

The Ducks finally got a little spark of frustrated life when Lubomir Visnovsky scored at 9:11 of the third period.  Visnovsky, also acquired at the trade deadline, got his second goal in as many games and seemed to take things into his own hands when his new teammates refused to get the job done.

Ryan Getzlaf brought the Ducks to within one goal at 14:56 to give him the Gordie Howe hat trick.  He had an assist on Visnovsky's goal and got into a stupid fight with Tyutin at the end of the second period, which kept him off the ice for the first five minutes of the final period.  Sitting in the penalty box won't help your team one iota.

The Ducks kept pushing, something they should have been doing since the opening face-off, but a hooking penalty from Saku Koivu led to goal number four for the Blue Jackets, a power play goal from Antoine Vermette at 18:02.   Derek Brassard added the icing to the Columbus cake with a final tally at 19:43.  It was ok.  Everyone left the building after goal #4 went in.

Playoff hopes?  While not mathematically eliminated, they might as well be.

"The odds aren't in our favor," Ryan said. "There was a time where we could have controlled our own fate, but that might not be the case now. We're not in the driver's seat anymore."

Ryan, who still is young enough in the league to not give pre-recorded answers to media questions, went on to give a blunt assessment of the Ducks four-game losing streak.

"You can't come out of a break and lose four straight. It's unacceptable. Nothing's gone well. The power play hasn't clicked, and we're not getting the proper level of execution that we should be accustomed to with this lineup. It's been ugly."

Ugly indeed.  But the team only has itself to blame as it continues to self-implode.

Nashville comes to town on Friday.  They are fighting to maintain a playoff spot.  The Ducks?  Should be fighting to regain their dignity because these post-Olympic efforts have been embarassing.