Ducks beat Edmonton for record-setting 11th straight home win

The Ducks’ final games before the Olympic break amount to two things -- the Ryan Getzlaf watch for Team Canada and a points chase for the Ducks.

Good enough on both counts Wednesday after a shaky 3-2 win over Edmonton at the Honda Center pulled the Ducks to two points behind Calgary for the final Western Conference playoff spot. The Ducks’ 11th consecutive home victory set a franchise record and matches the longest streak in the NHL this season.

Getzlaf, officially “day to day” with a sprained left ankle, didn’t play against Edmonton, the team with the worst record in the NHL.

But he walked through the dressing room afterward barefooted and barely favoring his ankle before donning a protective boot and leaving without crutches.

Getzlaf said he is focused on proving he is ready to play for Canada next week in the Olympics, either by playing in at least one of the Ducks’ games this weekend at Calgary and Edmonton or by demonstrating his fitness in a strenuous practice.

Still, Steve Yzerman, the Team Canada general manager, moved ahead with a contingency plan, confirming he has chosen a replacement if needed.

“Earlier today, I contacted Jeff Carter of the Philadelphia Flyers and advised him that in the event that Ryan Getzlaf is unable to take part in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games due to injury, he will take his spot on the roster. I asked him to be ready and prepare in case he has to join us in Vancouver later this week,” Yzerman said in a statement released by Hockey Canada.

“In the meantime, we will give ourselves, Ryan and the Anaheim Ducks as much time this week as necessary to determine if he will be able to play for Canada in Vancouver.”

Getzlaf said he and Yzerman have talked repeatedly since he suffered the injury Monday against the Kings and he knows he must show he’s ready before Monday’s deadline for Olympic rosters to be finalized. Canada’s first game is Tuesday.

The Ducks, 12 points out of a playoff spot Jan. 7, have gone 12-5 since and will use the trip to Western Canada to try to finally pull into playoff position before the Olympic break.

Despite two goals by Bobby Ryan -- his team-leading 26th and 27th -- the game was tied in the third period after the Ducks gave up two short-handed goals in the second, the second on a breakaway by Ethan Moreau after he stole Ducks defenseman James Wisniewski’s pass on the power play.

Wisniewski redeemed himself with a rocket point shot in the third that Todd Marchant redirected for the winning goal with 11:39 left.

“Tonight wasn’t the prettiest way to get it done, but at the end of the day it was two points,” said Ryan, who will play for Team USA in Vancouver. “I don’t think there was any way around it, they were huge for us.”

The Ducks had to press to the end, fending off a two-man advantage for the final minute after Edmonton pulled its goalie for an extra attacker with the Oilers already on a power play.

Jonas Hiller made 37 saves for his 25th victory.

As for the flaws, Ryan shrugged and smiled.

“I’m sure we’ll address it tomorrow,” he said.

Etc.

Ducks’ Teemu Selanne remains three goals shy of 600 and four shy of Jari Kurri, whose career mark of 601 ranks 17th in NHL history.

robynnorwood@verizon.net