Babcock Likes View From Where They Sit

The Mighty Ducks are six points from clinching a playoff spot.

They need either victories, ties or overtime losses that add up to six points or they need ninth-place Phoenix to lose six games.

And while Coach Mike Babcock continues his tonight’s-the-most-important game mantra, he doesn’t mind looking back.

“The guys decided in training camp that they were going to work and believe in one another and persevere,” Babcock said. “When things didn’t go well, they continued to battle. We weren’t a very good hockey team there for a long time, but they just kept battling and working. We’ve come a long way.”

The Ducks showed that by going 3-1-1-1 during a run of six games in nine nights.

“This is good preparation,” veteran forward Steve Thomas said. “When we get to the playoffs, we’re going to have to play every other day.”

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Thomas has done his part since being acquired from Chicago on March 11. He has four goals in the six games since the trade after having four in 69 games with the Blackhawks. Thomas has two game-winning goals and scored the tying goal in a 3-2 overtime loss to St. Louis on Thursday.

“I’ve just been lucky enough to have great chances,” said Thomas, who has 405 goals in his career. “I really don’t think I’m playing at the top of my game right now.”

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TONIGHT

at San Jose, 7:30, Channel 9

Site -- HP Pavilion.

Radio -- KPLS (830).

Records -- Ducks 36-26-9-5, Sharks 26-34-6-7.

Record vs. Sharks -- 2-2.

Update -- This will be the third game in as many nights for the Sharks, who had to make up a snowed-out game against Colorado on Thursday. “Three games in three nights?” Duck center Adam Oates said, smiling. “I guess there [are] no excuses for us.”