Pressure Doesn’t Bother the Team

The Ducks said all the right things Sunday, but the question is, will they do all the right things tonight against the Nashville Predators?

Three points out of a playoff spot with four games left, the Ducks seemed upbeat and energetic a day after a disheartening 2-1 loss to the Kings at Staples Center.

“The team is playing well,” goalie Guy Hebert said. “I thought we had a great, enthusiastic practice, which is a great sign.

“There’s a week left in the season. We’ve got to enjoy this race for as long as we can.”

Watching the San Jose Sharks’ 3-0 loss Saturday to the Calgary Flames certainly lifted Duck Coach Craig Hartsburg’s spirits.

“That’s the team we’re chasing now,” Hartsburg said of the Sharks, who have a tenuous hold on the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The ninth-place Vancouver Canucks moved within one point of San Jose with a 3-2 victory Sunday over the Chicago Blackhawks.

The 10th-place Ducks trail Vancouver by two points, but have a game in hand on the Canucks.

“We got some help [Saturday],” Hartsburg said. “Now, we’ve got to take care of our business [tonight against Nashville].

“Our fans have been behind us all year. Maybe they can help us again [tonight].”

vs. Nashville

TONIGHT

7:30, Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Arrowhead Pond.

* Radio--XTRA 690.

* Records--Ducks 32-34-12-2, Predators 28-44-7-7.

* Record vs. Predators--2-0.

* Update--The Ducks hope winger Ladislav Kohn will be fit to play against the Predators. He was struck by a puck under the left eye during Sunday’s practice and experienced considerable swelling.

* Tickets--(714) 704-2000.