Ties Help, but Only to a Point

There are a couple of ways to view the Mighty Ducks’ situation. But the hard fact is, a point a game will not get them in the playoffs.

“We understand that,” Duck center Matt Cullen said. “We let some points get away, losing leads in the last 10 minutes. We’re not satisfied. The attitude here now is we want to win.”

The Ducks have managed ties in their last three games. But they blew two-goal leads in two of them.

They have 25 points through 24 games, but it took 94 points to make the playoffs last season.

The Ducks have lost only once in regulation during the last 11 games. But they have won only twice in the last nine games.

“You can look at it any way you want,” Coach Mike Babcock said. “I would like to be in first place. We’re not. We’ve played 24 games and won only eight.

“A year ago, they would have thrown a parade [to be where we are now]. No one thinks like that any more. I’m a glass-is-half-full kind of guy. We’re a better team and we’re in every game.”

That said, Babcock did acknowledge one important thing.

“We need to win a game, though,” he said.

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Duck and King officials have moved forward with plans for a rookie tournament before training camp next season. Plans are for a six-team tournament that would also involve the Phoenix Coyotes, Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames.

“There is a lot of interest in this,” Duck General Manager Bryan Murray said. “We’re looking into where to hold it now.”

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The NHL has not cleared Chicago forward Theo Fleury to play, but he could be in the lineup tonight when the Blackhawks play the Ducks.

Fleury, suspended indefinitely for violating terms of his substance-abuse aftercare program, arrived late for practice Friday after oversleeping.

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TONIGHT

vs. Chicago, 5

Channel 9

Site -- Arrowhead Pond.

Radio -- KPLS (830).

Records -- Ducks 8-7-6-3, Blackhawks 10-10-3-0.

Record vs. Blackhawks (2001-02) -- 1-2-1-0.

Update -- Whether Duck defenseman Ruslan Salei, who sat out Friday’s game because of back spasms, plays will be a game-time decision.

Tickets -- (877) 945-3946.