Successful Trip Will Not Be Enough to Save Season

And on the 12th day, the Ducks rested.

Finally, there were no games or practice Sunday. It was simply a day to spend at home, resting and relaxing after the longest trip of the season.

Count their 3-2-2 record on their seven-game, 11-day cross-continent trip among the Ducks’ few highlights this season.

Teemu Selanne scored his 50th goal on the trip, Mikhail Shtalenkov again showed why he’s the NHL’s best backup goalie and youngsters Frank Banham and Matt Cullen were superb.

The Ducks also had a season-best five-game unbeaten streak (3-0-2). But the Ducks probably cannot rally in time to grab the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot.

They have 59 points and are seven points behind the eighth-place Edmonton Oilers. Most playoff qualifiers finish the season with 80 points or better.

Even if the Ducks were to win their final nine games, they will be short of the 80-point mark.

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Defenseman Jason Marshall had several stitches over his left eye and a shiner beneath it, the result of a high stick that drew blood and a couple of overhand rights during a fight.

And that was before Detroit’s Sergei Fedorov hammered Marshall into the boards headfirst to draw at least a two-game suspension.

A reporter wondered if Marshall believed he was being targeted by opponents for some reason.

“No, not at all,” he said.

Are you targeting other players, the reporter wondered.

“No, not at all,” Marshall said, trying to keep a straight face.

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Defenseman Jamie Pushor was in tears at hearing the news last week he had been traded from the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings to the Ducks.

But center Josef Marha seemed happy as could be to have been traded from the Colorado Avalanche to the Ducks.

“I got lots of ice time,” Marha said after his Duck debut in last week’s 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. “I got 20 minutes of ice time. I played on the power play. I’m really happy. I really liked the Colorado organization, but they didn’t have room for me. I’m ready to play in the NHL now. I’m really happy to be here.”