If Things Go Right for Ducks, Trip Could Lead to Playoffs

Can anything trip up the Mighty Ducks now?

The next six games--all on the road--are the last major obstacle between the Ducks and their first appearance in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The longest trip of their season begins tonight in Colorado and continues to Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Chicago and Detroit. Ten crucial days.

“The fun part about this is we’re playing the teams we’re battling with,” Coach Ron Wilson said. “Colorado and Detroit, I consider tests to see where we are. The other four are important battles, going head-to-head with the teams we’re fighting against.”

The Ducks are bolstered by the NHL’s longest unbeaten streak--12 games. But even though they’ve pulled off impressive ties against against Detroit and Colorado in their last two road games, they’re still 9-18-6 away from the Pond this season.

The first and toughest test is tonight. But even though Colorado has the NHL’s best record, the Ducks have lost to the Avalanche only once in four games this season; three ended in ties.

“Every time we get a point from Colorado, that’s really good,” right wing Teemu Selanne said. “Somehow we always play well against them. Colorado is a tough place to play, but if you can play smart, they get frustrated. They get frustrated if it’s 1-1 or 2-2 after two periods. They still think we’re the Mighty Ducks and they should beat us every game.”

With little more than three weeks left in the season, six teams are still in contention for the final five Western Conference playoff spots.

One of them won’t make it.

Which one will it be?

The St. Louis Blues, who have won only three times in their last 11 games and play five of their final 10 against teams with winning records?

The Chicago Blackhawks, who play six of their final 10 at home but are only a .412 team in their own building?

The Calgary Flames, who already survived a grueling trip and get to play six of their last nine at home?

Or the Ducks, who were squeezed out at the last moment last season despite a 12-3-2 stretch run?

The Ducks had a similar late-season trip last year--one that, like this one, looked like a back-breaker on the schedule. They came out of that one 3-2-1.

With 11 games left last season, the Ducks were in ninth place, one point out of a playoff spot.

Today, with 11 games remaining they are tied for sixth place, two points out of fourth and three out of ninth.

Next month, they’ll be able to look back and know which games were the crucial ones that decided whether they made it. Right now, the only safe thing is to assume the season hinges on each game.