They Need to Fix Fade or Get Hook

Through the first three rounds of the playoffs, the Mighty Ducks dominated late in games. In rolling past Detroit, Dallas and Minnesota, they had a 15-5 edge in goals scored in the third and overtime periods.

But in the Stanley Cup finals, New Jersey has been the stronger team after 40 minutes. Despite having lost two games in overtime, the Devils have outscored the Ducks, 6-2, after two periods in taking a 3-2 edge in the best-of-seven series.

In their 6-3 victory in Game 5, the Devils wore down the Ducks in the third period, outscoring them, 2-0, and physically controlling the game.

That’s not good news for the Ducks, whose run to the Stanley Cup finals was spearheaded by goaltending, defense and depth. Those categories are being dominated by the Devils.

A breakdown of Game 6:

DUCKS’ MOVE -- In their three-goal defeat Thursday, the Ducks’ blue-liners played their worst game of the playoffs. Too many times a Duck defenseman lost sight of the puck because he was scrambling out of position and it cost the team a goal.

When the Ducks’ Keith Carney-led defensemen are clicking, they do everything in sync. That didn’t happen often in Game 5. Sandis Ozolinsh was involved in more than his share of miscues on defense, usually as a result of his trying to make a play and leaving his defensive partner, either Ruslan Salei or Kurt Sauer, flat-footed. That can’t happen tonight. Ozolinsh has to pick his spots better when it comes to being daring.

The Ducks also are getting beat on special teams. They haven’t scored a power-play goal against the Devils and 11 players have picked up minor penalties, accounting for 38 penalty minutes. The Devils have been called for 24 penalty minutes and scored two power-play goals.

The Ducks have to work hard at playing aggressively but with discipline. They can’t afford to pick up retaliation penalties as they did in Game 5. The best way to play against a dynamo like John Madden is to beat him to the punch.

NEW JERSEY’S MOVE -- Coach Pat Burns had 6-foot-3 forward Turner Stevenson back in the lineup for Game 5 and the Devils played with more grit at both ends of the ice.

With Stevenson, 6-5 rookie Michael Rupp, Pascal Rheaume and Grant Marshall providing the physical presence, and Brian Gionta, Scott Gomez and Madden using their speed, the Devils skated four balanced lines and had the most scoring chances of the series.

New Jersey also skated better than the Ducks in Game 5, especially when it came to crashing the net. This never-quit style works well because the Devils are so sound on defense. Their forwards not only skate hard, looking for rebounds on offense, but they also hustle with the same intensity when it comes to backchecking on defense.

Goaltender Martin Brodeur may not have played his best game Thursday, but he made several important stops, once the Devils took a 4-3 lead. If Brodeur starts playing Game 6 the way he finished Game 5, the Ducks will be in trouble.