They’re not too far behind

For all their issues with injuries and inconsistency as they experience life as a defending Stanley Cup champion, the Ducks awoke Friday morning only one point out of the Pacific Division lead.

Despite a 5-7-2 record, the Ducks entered the day one point behind San Jose and tied with Dallas and the Kings. Although all three teams have played fewer games than Anaheim, each has had its own problems coming out of the gate.

The Ducks, feeling comfortable about their position after a 2-1 shootout win Thursday over Columbus, look ahead to 10 consecutive games against division opponents beginning tonight at Phoenix.

“It’s really tight,” goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere said. “It seems like everybody’s had a little bit of a tough time and then have some good times as well.

“We’re in the same boat as everybody else. And now it’s time to try to show ourselves and the rest of the league that we’re a good team again. This is a going to be a good month to see what kind of team we are.”

After tonight, the Ducks play Dallas and San Jose twice and the Kings three times over the next three weeks. The Ducks also get the Coyotes again at home.

Nothing will be decided then, but the Ducks’ 19-8-5 divisional record last season went a long way toward helping them win their first Pacific title, which they clinched on the last day of the regular season.

Winger Brad May said gaining points now is just as important as later in the season. “We feel this is very important, embarking on this next stretch of games,” May said. “It’s fun. It’s good because you can feel the competition and the urgency.”

The Ducks weren’t about to classify Thursday’s 2-1 win as a new start, but they acknowledged the lift they received from getting defenseman Mathieu Schneider into the lineup and having forward Rob Niedermayer and Ryan Getzlaf return from injury.

Niedermayer scored their only regulation goal and Schneider got the winner in the shootout.

“It’s nice to finally get 90% of our lineup back,” Coach Randy Carlyle said. “We’ve battled though some difficult situations. Now it’s about getting this group to play a consistent brand of hockey.”

The only player left to return is Todd Bertuzzi, who has been out the last seven games after suffering a concussion Oct. 14. Carlyle said there was no timetable on when he’ll begin working out again.

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TONIGHT

at Phoenix, 7 PDT, Ch. 56

Site -- Jobing.com Arena.

Radio -- 830.

Records -- Ducks 5-7-2; Coyotes 5-6-0.

Record vs. Coyotes -- 0-1-0.

Update -- Phoenix goalie Alex Auld got his third career shutout against the Ducks in a 1-0 victory last week.

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eric.stephens@latimes.com