Team Looks Sharper, From One Perspective

The glass is half full:

The Mighty Ducks have looked sharper on offense this season, creating more chances, applying more pressure. A simple reason: They have the puck more.

They have won at least 55% of faceoffs in each of their six games. This is hardly a fluke, considering the Ducks are deeper at center than they have ever been.

“Your power play and your penalty kill have no chance to be successful if you don’t win faceoffs,” Coach Mike Babcock said.

The addition of free agent Adam Oates and Steve Rucchin’s return from injury give the Ducks quality throughout four lines, and beyond. Marc Chouinard, Andy McDonald and Matt Cullen are all skilled at winning draws.

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The glass is half empty:

The Ducks getting an overtime victory and a tie in their last two games were vital, yet the disturbing fact remained that they gave up 2-1 third-period leads.

Vancouver scored with five minutes left to get a 2-2 tie Friday. Colorado scored with 10 minutes left, only to lose in overtime.

“The big thing that happens when you become a good team is, you continue to do the same things in the pressure situations,” Babcock said. “You fall back on your foundation and your foundation is stability, not panic.”

The Ducks did not panic in either game, but they gave up two iffy goals. Vancouver’s Todd Bertuzzi came from behind the net to bank a shot off goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere on Friday. A Duck turnover led to Joe Sakic’s game-tying goal Sunday.

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Rookie Martin Gerber will start in goal when the Ducks play at Vancouver on Thursday.

“He won [Sunday],” Babcock said. “You got to get some candy for that.”

--Chris Foster