MIGHTY DUCK NOTES

According to Detroit Coach Scotty Bowman, the Ducks’ combination of Teemu Selanne and Kariya is the best 1-2 punch on the same line in more than 20 years.

“There’s the speed factor. Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier [of the New York Islanders] were very good together, but one was more like a setup guy,” Bowman said.

“Everybody is always trying to have their wingers go to the net. That’s what you’ve got to watch most around the goal mouth. . . . The thing [Kariya and Selanne] do best for each other is they’ve got outside speed and the other guy, for the most part, goes to the net. There are a lot of goal-mouth plays, which puts a lot of pressure on your defense.”

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Bowman alsosaid he approves of the NHL’s use of the two-referee system in the playoffs, especially its decision to keep two referees together as long as possible. However, if there’s a decisive seventh game, two senior referees may be paired instead of matching a senior official with a younger counterpart.

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Kerry Fraser and Denis LaRue, who officiated Game 1 of the Buffalo-Ottawa series, will officiate tonight at Joe Louis Arena.

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Dave Lewis, one of the Red Wing associate coaches, said Wednesday he would someday like to be a head coach but has decided to put off considering or discussing possible job offers until Detroit’s season is over.

Lewis, a former King defenseman, often has been mentioned as a candidate for the Kings’ coaching vacancy. Lewis said he has had no contact with them but declined to say what he would do should they call him.