Road Test Begins Against Blackhawks

The Mighty Ducks are playing better. Bryan Murray, their coach, is not just whistling a happy tune.

He said they would be better after Christmas and, thus far, the Ducks are, going 1-0-1 since the holiday to run their December record to 6-3-2-3.

They will be tested during a three-game trip that begins tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks, one of the top teams in the Western Conference.

On Monday, the Ducks play Columbus, which is last in the conference but 5-0-0-1 against the Ducks in two seasons. Wednesday, it’s on to Detroit, where the Ducks have won once in eight seasons.

“We’re not going to worry about the standings at this point, with the position we put ourselves in earlier this season,” Murray said. “I’m not going to say we’re going to finish here or get this many points. I think we should expect a lot from ourselves because we’ve shown we can do it.”

There was nowhere to go but up for the Ducks, who were last in the Western Conference a month ago. But their play in December has put them within sight of a playoff spot, however hazy.

“I think we have come a long way,” Murray said. “Before, we couldn’t make passes some nights. Now we are finding the open man more often. We’re making better plays and we’re making better decisions.”

TONIGHT

at Chicago, 5 PST

Site--United Center.

Radio--XTRA (690).

Records--Ducks 13-19-5-3, Blackhawks 21-12-8-0.

Record vs. Blackhawks--1-0.

Update--The Blackhawks have won six of eight games, with victories over Western Conference powers Detroit, Edmonton, St. Louis and Colorado in that time.