Lupul Gets a Rough Reception

Duck rookie Joffrey Lupul had another NHL first Tuesday.

His first experience in what a hip check from Colorado defenseman Rob Blake feels like. Blake caught Lupul behind the Avalanche net and banged him loudly into the boards.

“I saw him coming, but he was tangled up with [Steve Rucchin] and I thought I could sneak by him,” Lupul said. “I was wrong. Next time I’ll be ready.

“I’ve seen him on TV hit guys with his hindquarters. It hurts more in person.”

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The Ducks, tops in the NHL in faceoffs, were dominated in the face-off circle in a 2-1 overtime loss to Colorado. The Avalanche won 56% of the draws. Center Sergei Fedorov won only seven of 21 faceoffs.

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Tests on Monday on the injured right wrist of former Duck Paul Kariya revealed no broken bones, the Avalanche said.

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TONIGHT

at Dallas, 5:30 p.m.

Fox Sports Net 2

Site -- American Airlines Center.

Radio -- XPRS (1090).

Records -- Ducks 7-8-1-3; Stars 7-9-2-0.

Record vs. Stars -- 0-1.

Update -- Dallas has given up 23 goals during a six-game winless streak. Martin Gerber will start in goal for the Ducks. He had a 1.38 goals-against average in three games against the Stars last season.