DUCKS REPORT

WEDNESDAY VS. PHOENIX

* Starting time: 7:30 p.m.

* Television: Fox Sports West 2

* Radio: XTRA (690 AM)

* Key: The Ducks must keep up their defensive intensity against a dangerous--and sometimes volatile--Coyote team.

* Season series: 1-1

* About Phoenix: How tough is the Pacific Division? The Coyotes went from having the best record in the NHL to fifth in the division by losing four consecutive games. They ended that streak by beating San Jose, 4-3, Sunday to move back into first place. The Coyotes’ second line revived itself during the victory. Center Travis Green scored his first goal in 15 games and right wing Rick Tocchett’s assist was his first point in 14 games. Left wing Greg Adams, who has been slowed by the flu, had a goal and an assist. Center Jeremy Roenick is fourth in the league with 41 points.

SUNDAY AT SAN JOSE

* Starting time: 2 p.m.

* Television: Channel 9

* Radio: XTRA (690 AM)

* Key: The Ducks would be wise to play five-on-five hockey. The Sharks have the sixth-best power play, led by right wing Owen Nolan and left wing Jeff Friesen.

* Season series: Ducks lead 1-0.

* About San Jose: Nolan is tied for the league league in goals (25) and is second in points (50). He has 11 power-play goals. Friesen has eight power-play goals and 33 points (15-18). Goalie Mike Vernon, suffering from a lingering illness, was placed on the injured reserve list Sunday. The Sharks’ defense has struggled recently. Besides losing to Phoenix--San Jose’s first defeat in 16 games this season when leading after two periods--the Sharks gave up five goals in a loss to Chicago last Tuesday.

MONDAY AT EDMONTON

* Starting time: 5 p.m.

* Television: None

* Radio: XTRA (690 AM)

* Key: Possibly another strong performance from backup goalie Dominic Roussel, who will likely start because of games on back-to-back days. Roussel is 4-1-1 when starter Guy Hebert is given a night off.

* Season series: Ducks lead 1-0.

* About Edmonton: The Oilers are three points behind first-place Colorado in the Northwest Division but are five points out of the eighth playoff spot--division winners automatically qualify for the playoffs. Right wing Bill Guerin has six goals and 11 points in the 22 games since ending his holdout.