Page Will Not Accept Excuses

Coach Pierre Page has banned excuses.

“We, as a team, are on a mission to find a way to win with or without Paul Kariya,” Page said of the unsigned free agent. “We have to concentrate on things we have a control over. I’m excited about our team right now. A lot of teams don’t have Paul Kariya and they’re winning right now. How’s Detroit 4-0 without [unsigned free agent] Sergei Fedorov?

“Team play is the answer.”

*

Concerned the Ducks got only 16 shots against the neutral-zone trapping Senators, Page focused much of Saturday’s practice on directing the puck toward the net.

“We just seem to have the mentality to overpass,” he said. “We’ve got to attack, to go to the net. The first two games in Tokyo we had lots of shots, but we need five guys attacking together and not just two or three.”

*

Center Mark Janssens left practice early after bridgework was knocked from his mouth during a collision.

“There was a bridge with about three or four teeth on the ice,” Page said. “He’ll look like Bobby Clarke [general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers, who as a player was famous for his toothless glare] tomorrow.”

*

Center Steve Rucchin continues to be sidelined because of a groin strain. . . . Forward Kevin Todd, recovering from a deep cut above his left eye, is almost ready to return, Page said.