Players Haven’t Lost Optimism

This season has been a struggle for the Mighty Ducks from the moment it began. Nearly three months into the schedule, they are doing a little more than bailing water.

The Ducks won three of four games before the two-day Christmas break, but to continue inching forward will take extended roadwork.

The Ducks face San Jose tonight at the Compaq Center. Thursday, they play the Kings at Staples Center. Then comes a three-game trip to Chicago, Columbus and Detroit.

“We’re definitely going in the right direction,” defenseman Keith Carney said. “We want to continue to build on that. We have two important games back to back. But the first game, we have to be ready.”

The Sharks present a strong challenge. Not only are they the Pacific Division leaders, they have manhandled the Ducks this season, winning all three games. The Sharks have outscored the Ducks, 15-6.

The Ducks have won two consecutive games, but have not won three consecutive this season.

“We’re starting to play a lot better, something we have to keep on doing,” forward Denny Lambert said. “We wanted to put some wins together before the break to get some momentum.”

*

Defenseman Niclas Havelid, a healthy scratch in five previous games, did not draw rave reviews from Coach Bryan Murray for his return Sunday in a 4-0 victory over Phoenix.

“He played OK,” Murray said. “Nick has got to use his mobility a little more. There were a couple times if he kept his feet moving he would have been out of trouble. But it’s hard to sit him out and then ask him to be 100%.”

Havelid was in the lineup only because defenseman Vitaly Vishnevski was out with back spasms.

“It is always tough to watch games because you want to play,” Havelid said.

Havelid, who sat out the final 35 games last season because of a knee injury, is a minus-eight this season.

TONIGHT

at San Jose, 7:30

Site--Compaq Center.

Radio--XTRA (690).

Records--Ducks 12-19-4-3; Sharks 18-8-6-3.

Record vs. Sharks--0-3.

Update--The Sharks are 9-1-2-0 in their last 12 games, strengthening their hold on first place in the Pacific Division. The streak has coincided with a surge by goalie Evgeni Nabakov, who is 8-1-2 in his last 11 starts. San Jose center Adam Graves sat out Sunday’s game against Nashville with a sore back. Duck goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere has given up only nine goals in his last nine games.