Fedorov Is No Kreskin

DETROIT — Detroit center Sergei Fedorov was the NHL’s most valuable player three seasons ago.

But he played on the third line and the blue line this season, and his goal in Game 1 was a big one--his first of the playoffs.

“It’s an interesting season,” Fedorov said. “I think I can write a book on this one season. But I’m not a psychic. I can’t predict what is next for me. I could call one of those numbers and say, ‘How does my season end?’ ”

Fedorov can become a restricted free agent this summer, and there was intrigue about whether he might be traded, as well as speculation that the team might have been driving down his value when it relegated him to lesser roles, including defenseman, before reuniting the five-man Russian unit.

“They tell you to write a story, and tie your hands behind a chair,” Fedorov said. “How are you going to write it? Nice handcuffs.

“Let’s put it this way: This season was the toughest season I ever played,” added Fedorov, who still had 30 goals and 63 points. “As far as hockey . . . there has been lots of miscommunication between the coach and myself, both ways.”

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The Ducks held Detroit’s power play in check in Game 1, as the Red Wings went 0 for 5.

That’s a few more opportunities than the Ducks want to give them, and they can’t hope to shut out the Red Wings consistently.

“They were working on the power play this morning, and we’ll have to make adjustments,” Duck Coach Ron Wilson said.

“But your best penalty-killer is usually your goaltender.”

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Working the officials: After a string of penalties against the Ducks in Game 1, Wilson told linesman Ray Scapinello to ask referee Mark Faucette--a fellow Providence College alum--who wrote “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey.”

Scapinello skated by with the answer later.

He got the joke.

“Homer,” he said. “That’s a pretty good one.”

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Times staff writer Elliott Teaford contributed to this story.