They’ve Blown Chances

The Ducks are coming off a 4-2 victory over Nashville on Sunday.

The trick for them is to lump a few victories together. They have won consecutive games twice this season but are 2-9-2 in their last 13 games.

They have had opportunities, but too many have fluttered away in the third period.

“Everyone has to consciously take a positive approach,” goalie Steve Shields said after Sunday’s victory. “You can’t just say you’re working hard, you have to work hard. Just because you’re out of breath doesn’t mean you necessarily worked hard.”

The Ducks have unraveled at key moments, including Friday in a 5-2 loss to San Jose. The score was 2-2 after two periods.

The Ducks have had leads or were tied in the third period in 12 games this season. They are 3-6-3-0 in those games and 1-4-2 since an overtime victory over Phoenix on Oct. 24.

“We have had an awful lot of games ... we ended up losing because of a power play,” Coach Bryan Murray said. “You have to be in better control and not put yourself in jeopardy.”

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The Ducks acquired defenseman Burt Robertson from Nashville for minor league left wing Jay Legault. Robertson will report to the Ducks’ minor league team in Cincinnati.

TONIGHT

at Edmonton, 6 PST Site--SkyReach Centre.

Radio--KDIS (710).

Records--Ducks 8-16-3-0; Oilers 16-8-3-1.

Record vs. Oilers (2000-01)--1-2-1-0.

Update--Edmonton goalie Tommy Salo ranks fourth among goalies who have played more than 20 games with a 2.02 goals-against average. The Ducks have won only one of their last six games at Edmonton. Shields will start in goal tonight. He is 2-1 with a 2.00 goals-against average in his last three starts.