Prospal, Fedorov Find Offense

In the world of silver linings where the Mighty Ducks live, they can be glad that the marquee players -- the two who were brought in last summer anyway -- have begun to produce.

Vaclav Prospal, who signed a five-year, $16.5-million contract, has eight goals and 13 points in the last nine games. Sergei Fedorov, who signed a five-year, $40-million contract, has three goals and 12 points in his last six games.

“We found our offense some,” Prospal said. “I think our offense has been good the last couple of weeks. It is reflected in the guys on the power play and the ones who get most minutes. We have picked up our game production-wise.”

This, though, may amount to too little too late. The Ducks have averaged three goals a game in the last two weeks. That sort of production would have come in handy earlier in the season.

The Ducks had a 10-10-4-5 record on Dec. 10, after winning back-to-back games against Dallas and San Jose. They scored two or fewer goals in 17 of their next 19 games and had a 4-11-4 record in that stretch.

“Offense has been the key for us all season,” Prospal said. “When there is no offense, you can’t expect to pick up your points.

“Our play picked up tremendously. But we keep shooting ourselves in the foot with mistakes at crucial times of the game. That is what is costing us right now.”

The Ducks, 13th in the Western Conference, are 12 points out of a playoff spot. They are only six points ahead of 14th-place Columbus.

“You can’t continue to lose ground and say you’re going to be in the [playoff] hunt,” Coach Mike Babcock said. “That is what is really frustrating.”

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TONIGHT

vs. Carolina, 7:30

Site -- Arrowhead Pond.

Radio -- XPRS (1090).

Records -- Ducks 16-23-8-7; Hurricanes 17-24-10-2

Record vs. Hurricanes -- 1-0.

Update -- The Ducks were held scoreless on two power plays by Edmonton on Monday, ending a five-game streak during which they had scored at least one power-play goal.