Hebert Needs to Stay Sharp

No player on the Duck roster has experienced the wild ups and downs of this season quite like goalie Guy Hebert. At the moment, he’s up--way up. A 3-1 victory Sunday over the Detroit Red Wings gave Hebert a 2-0-1 unbeaten streak with a 1.62 goals-against average. He has stopped 89 of the last 94 shots he has faced.

“It’s not good enough,” Coach Craig Hartsburg said. “If anybody on our team is satisfied with where they are right now, we’re in big trouble.”

That’s not to say that Hartsburg is unhappy with Hebert. He simply expects sharper play from him in the Ducks’ final nine games, including tonight’s against the Kings.

“He’s on top of his game right now,” Hartsburg said. “He has to keep his focus. It’s a big challenge. It’s what separates good players from great players and good teams from great teams.”

Hebert is 6-0-2 in his last eight starts against the Kings.

THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY AT EDMONTON

* Faceoff--6 PST.

* TV--Fox Sports Net, ESPN 2.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Key--Will the Ducks be road kill one night after playing the Kings at Staples Center?

* Record vs. Oilers--2-1.

* About the Oilers--They certainly have benefited from the new overtime rules, picking up eight extra points simply by reaching the extra session.

FRIDAY AT VANCOUVER

* Faceoff--7.

* TV--Fox Sports Net 2.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Key--The Ducks have done nothing with the Canucks in three tries, losing once and tying twice. Paul Kariya did not play in the last game in his hometown, missing it because of a badly bruised right foot.

* Record vs. Canucks--0-1-2.

* About the Canucks--They are almost in the same bind as the Ducks, hoping to rally for a playoff spot.

SUNDAY VS. PHOENIX

* Faceoff--5.

* TV--ESPN.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Key--Intensity. This figures to be another must-win game for the Ducks.

* Record vs. Coyotes--1-4.

* About the Coyotes--The Phoenix/Winnipeg franchise is only 13-16-2 against the Ducks, including 5-9-1 at the Arrowhead Pond.