Ducks Silence Detroit, 3-1

Same old, same old.

The Mighty Ducks got an early lead, suffocating defensive pressure, goals from several sources, superb goaltending and another solid victory.

That the Ducks thumped the Detroit Red Wings, 3-1, didn’t seem to surprise anyone wearing white, jade and eggplant Sunday at the Arrowhead Pond.

It’s their system, the Ducks said after their fourth consecutive victory.

The Red Wings couldn’t handle it any better than the Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche or Atlanta Thrashers before them. In fact, Sunday’s victory looked almost exactly like the last three.

And that’s the idea.

The Ducks’ defense-first style of play can be attractive at times. But once they get a lead, as they did in building a 3-0 advantage midway through the second period Sunday, it can also be like watching paint dry.

Give the opposition nothing. No shots, no goals, no hope.

Detroit managed a third-period goal from defenseman Chris Chelios, which delighted its cultlike following. But by game’s end, the only chant heard from the announced crowd of 16,538 was, “Go home, Red Wings.”

Jim McKenzie, Matt Cullen and Paul Kariya scored for the Ducks, who ended the Red Wings’ five-game winning streak. Goaltender Guy Hebert made 30 saves and lowered his goals-against average to a puny 2.03.

All four Duck lines played the same style and with almost the same effectiveness.

“It’s the best way to play these games,” said Teemu Selanne, who assisted on Kariya’s power-play goal that gave the Ducks a 3-0 lead at 10:13 of the second period.

“We play so smart. We don’t take chances. Maybe we don’t score so many goals, but it’s working. Sometimes you would like to keep the game more wide open, but we can play such great defense.

“If we keep the other teams to two goals, we can win.”

Sunday’s victory was the 13th time in the last 15 games the Ducks have held the opposition to two or fewer goals.

Not surprisingly, the Ducks are 9-4-2 in that span and have moved within two points of the first-place Phoenix Coyotes in the Pacific Division.

“This, finally, is the team Craig Hartsburg has wanted here since he first came here,” Hebert said of the Duck coach, who was hired before the 1998-99 season.

“Now, we’re finally seeing it happening. The guys are starting to believe in what he’s been saying. Sooner or later, we were going to get through the rough spots and get it ironed out. I think the coaches feel the players are on the same page as they are.”

The Ducks struggled to master Hartsburg’s game plan in the past, coming close at times during a seven-game winning streak last season. But until the last month or so, they have had their share of ups and downs.

One significant change in the Ducks has been the widespread contributions in recent games.

The McKenzie-Cullen-Marty McInnis line dominated the Red Wings. In addition to the goals by McKenzie and Cullen, McInnis picked up a career-best three assists.

Friday, defensemen Niclas Havelid and Ruslan Salei scored in a 2-0 victory over Chicago. Wednesday, backup goalie Dominic Roussel made 19 saves and winger Jeff Nielsen scored twice in a 4-2 victory over Colorado.

Roussel had 27 saves and Selanne had two goals in a 4-1 victory Dec. 12 over Atlanta.

“Our progress over the course of the season is starting to show,” Hartsburg said after the Ducks improved to 17-13-4-1. “We’re starting to turn a corner. The guys are excited about how we’re playing. They are learning that when you play as a team, you can have success.”

Certainly, muzzling the Red Wings was far more impressive than victories over Chicago, Colorado and Atlanta. But the Ducks’ consistency during their streak is what stands out most.

“They have had our number over the years,” Hebert said of the Red Wings, who lead the all-time series, 16-5-5. “To play great against them is another huge step for us. This could be our best game all year.”