Turnovers Hamper Progress

Yes, the Ducks have improved from the dark days of their early-season malaise. But is the slow and steady path enough as the season kicks into its second half?

The Ducks stayed off the ice and had meetings the morning after Wednesday’s intense 4-4 tie against the Kings. Turnovers, you might guess, were among the topics on the table.

“There are some clear-cut things we’ve got to improve on,” Duck Coach Mike Babcock said Thursday. “We’ve got to stop turning the puck over and get the puck from our [defense] to our forwards and if we can do that we’ll be better in a hurry.”

The involvement of the defense in the offense is becoming increasingly important. The Ducks are 7-1-2-1 when a defenseman scores.

“When the D is involved, the D doesn’t necessarily score but someone else does,” Babcock said. “Last night, we had Rusty [Salei] and Nicky Havelid home free by themselves, all they had to do was put it by. That doesn’t show up on the score sheet but it is making progress. It’s something we didn’t have. Earlier in the year, in overtime we couldn’t even touch the puck. The last two times in OT, we’ve dominated the affair.”

The loss of offense-minded defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh (shoulder surgery) only increases the pressure on the others. Keith Carney has been slowed by a sore right foot from repeated shot blocking and is fighting his way through the discomfort.

Havelid, whose wife Anna had twins last Thursday, has stepped up. He logged 27 minutes and 10 seconds against the Kings, had three shots on goal and was plus-two.

“It’s amazing when you stop worrying about your wife at home and the twins on the way and just concentrate on what you’re doing,” Babcock said. “That’s no knock against Nicky, that’s being a human being, those things happen. But obviously he’s playing way better.”

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It was designed to be one of those proverbial wake-up calls and, evidently, the message got through to rookie right wing Joffrey Lupul. He was recalled from the Ducks’ minor league affiliate in Cincinnati on Thursday and will be available tonight.

He had been assigned to Cincinnati last Friday and his offensive skills kicked in quickly. Lupul had a natural hat trick and an assist in a 5-2 victory over San Antonio on Sunday.

TONIGHT

vs. Vancouver, 7:30, Fox Sports Net 2

Site -- Arrowhead Pond.

Radio -- XPRS (1090)

Records -- Ducks 13-17-6-5, Canucks 23-11-6-2.

Record vs. Canucks (2002-03) -- 1-1-2-0.

Update -- The Ducks’ Sergei Fedorov is not the only leading player with plummeting numbers. Vancouver’s Todd Bertuzzi, who had 22 goals halfway through last season, had only 11 after the first 41 games this season.

Tickets -- (877) 945-3946.