Page Shifts Attack Into Neutral Zone

As much as it troubles Coach Pierre Page to resort to game-slowing tactics, the neutral-zone trap apparently is here to stay. The Ducks have recorded shutouts in two of three games since adopting the defensive-oriented game plan.

“We’ve tried to play other styles, but because the league allows the trap, we’ve come back to it,” Page said. “It’s been the most successful thing for us so far.”

Page began the season with an up-tempo forechecking system, then went to the more defensive left-wing lock when the Ducks failed. Because teams are intent on clogging up the neutral zone against the Ducks, Page has joined the crowd playing the trap.

“It doesn’t matter how we play as long as we win,” captain Teemu Selanne said.

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Selanne on the Duck power play, which misfired on three chances in Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils: “I haven’t been with as bad a power play, not even when I was six years old. We didn’t get a shot. We didn’t even get in the attacking zone.”

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Lou Lamoriello, general manager of the New Jersey Devils and the U.S. Olympic team, declined to say whether Duck goalie Guy Hebert is among the final six choices for the 23-man team.

Hebert says he has mixed feelings about playing in the Nagano Olympics in February. His wife, Sarah, is expecting their first child in late January.

TONIGHT

at Edmonton

* 6:30 PST

Site--Edmonton Coliseum.

Radio--KRLA 1110, KCKC 1350.

Records--Ducks 10-11-5, Oilers 7-12-6.

Record vs. Oilers--1-0.

Update--The Ducks are unbeaten in the last seven games against the Oilers (6-0-1). Anaheim’s 2-0 victory Wednesday over New Jersey was only its third at the Pond and stopped a five-game winless streak at home (0-4-1). They are 7-5-2 away from Anaheim. Goalie Guy Hebert has shutouts in two of the past three games.