LAKERS-CLIPPERS REPORT

The Duck power play, which has struggled after leading the league with a 22% success rate in 1998-99, has finally shown signs of life.

No one expects the Ducks to continue clicking at a 35% success rate--seven for 20 in the last four games. But who would have believed they would be 27 for 212 overall, 12.7%, this late in the season?

Winger Marty McInnis’ groin injury forced Coach Craig Hartsburg to make changes on his first power-play unit two weeks ago and the Ducks have suddenly caught fire.

With McInnis sidelined the last four games, Hartsburg has moved left wing Paul Kariya from the left point to a station closer to the net. Kariya has ignited the power play from there, setting up right wing Teemu Selanne for goals.

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Maxim Balmochnykh, a rookie right wing, suffered a knee strain last week against the Buffalo Sabres and will be out about two weeks, Hartsburg said.