Better Start Might Mean a Better Finish

A 12-3-2 finish left the Mighty Ducks one point out of the playoffs last season, and many of the veterans are preparing for this season with one thing in mind: avoiding last season’s 2-8 start. “Sometimes it’s better to finish the season great than start great,” goalie Guy Hebert said. “But we need a solid start, not an atrocious start. Just a fair start.”

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The Ducks (1-1) play the New York Rangers (0-3) in an exhibition game at 8 tonight at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Wayne Gretzky is scheduled to make his Ranger debut. . . . For the record: The Ducks weren’t the only NHL team with two goalies in the World Cup. The New York Islanders’ Tommy Soderstrom and Tommy Salo played for Sweden. Washington’s Olaf Kolzig played for Germany and teammate Jim Carey was on the U.S. team.