This May Be Good Omen

The last time Adam Oates scored a goal in the Stanley Cup playoffs, in 1998, the Washington Capitals reached the final.

Oates has two goals through six playoff games this season, all of which the Mighty Ducks have won. Oates broke a scoreless tie with a power-play goal in the first period of the Ducks’ 3-2 victory over Dallas on Saturday.

Much later, Oates made the play that won the game. He slipped around defenseman Darryl Sydor and managed to knock the puck away from Brenden Morrow. Mike Leclerc then pounced, scoring the game-winning goal 1 minute 44 seconds into overtime.

“Morrow probably thought Sydor had me tied up,” Oates said. “I was able to reach out and poke the puck away.”

Oates also assisted on Petr Sykora’s game-winning goal that ended the Ducks’ 2-1 five-overtime victory Thursday.

Oates had no goals and only five assists in his last 16 playoff games.

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Oates’ power-play goal ended a string of 18 scoreless power plays for the Ducks. But it took a five-on-three situation.

Three Stars’ penalties had the Ducks on the power play for 5:28. They wasted 32 seconds of a five-on-three advantage and got a second chance when Derian Hatcher was sent off for elbowing. Oates came to the net and jammed the puck past goalie Marty Turco.

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The Ducks became the second team in NHL history to open the playoffs on the road and win their first six games. The Minnesota North Stars, now the Dallas Stars, won their first six in 1981. The North Stars reached the Stanley Cup final that season.

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The Ducks have had six one-goal games in the playoffs. They won 24 one-goal games during the regular season, tied for most in the NHL with New Jersey.

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Duck backup goalie Martin Gerber made his playoff debut Saturday

After Morrow chipped in a power-play goal, the clock was at 0:00. Goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere left for the dressing room, but officials put 1.2 seconds back on the clock.

Gerber was rushed off the bench to prevent the Ducks from being hit with a delay-of-game penalty. Time ran out after the face-off and Gerber was relegated back to the bench.

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The Ducks’ six-game winning streak this postseason is their longest since winning a club-record seven consecutive regular-season games Feb. 20-March 7, 1999.

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Bill Guerin sat out again for the Stars. The club’s third-leading scorer during the regular season has not played since Feb. 27 because of a thigh injury but is thought to be on the verge of returning to the lineup.

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Staff writer Jerry Crowe contributed to this report.