Confidence Is the Latest Goal

Reality has set in for the Ducks, who must win 20 of their final 38 games to match their 1999-2000 total of 34 victories.

“Every game for us is a challenge,” Coach Guy Charron said. “I’m thinking that beating Buffalo would really help us as a team. It would help our confidence.”

The Ducks began Wednesday’s 4-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues without a trace of confidence, although they did take a 1-0 first-period lead on Niclas Havelid’s power-play goal. They seemed to gain momentum only after center Tony Hrkac’s one-punch knockout of St. Louis’ Pierre Turgeon in the third period.

“We’ve got to regroup,” Charron said. “Every game, we’ve got to minimize our penalties. We’ve got to generate more offense when we’re skating five on five. We’ve got to get the puck to the net. We can’t depend on our power play to win the game.”

The Ducks were two for 11 with the man advantage against the undisciplined Blues, giving them 15 power-play goals in their last 71 chances-- a 21.1% success rate. Since the Christmas break, the Ducks have scored 14 goals in six games, half on the power play.

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The Ducks have contacted James Kelly, a Chicago concussion specialist who has worked with several NHL players, about center Steve Rucchin’s dizziness. Rucchin is not expected to be examined by the doctor, however.

Rucchin has been sidelined for all but two of the last 24 games after suffering a broken nose and cheekbone when a deflected shot struck him Nov. 15 against the Colorado Avalanche. He has been limited to gym workouts until his dizziness leaves.

TONIGHT

vs. Buffalo, 7:30, Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Arrowhead Pond.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 14-20-6-4, Sabres 21-15-5-1.

* Record vs. Sabres--0-0-1.

* Update--The Ducks are 7-3-1-1 against Eastern Conference teams. They squandered a two-goal lead in a 2-2 tie against the Sabres in the first meeting Oct. 20 at Buffalo. The Sabres lead the all-time series, 6-4-3, and are 4-2 in Anaheim. Guy Hebert is scheduled to start in goal for the Ducks tonight. Jean-Sebastien Giguere will play Sunday against the Carolina Hurricanes, the first game on a three-game trip.

* Tickets--(714) 703-2545.