Getting Set for Bruising Series

As soon as it was revealed on the scoreboard that Colorado had lost to Edmonton, the rules of engagement became clear in the Mighty Ducks’ 4-3 victory over the Calgary Flames on Monday night.

Seeing they were on a collision course for a Western Conference playoff series, each team was intent on sending a message: the Flames are going to be physical, and the Ducks aren’t going to be pushed around.

“We’ll definitely be ready for Game 1 now,” Duck forward Joffrey Lupul said. “I’m sure we would have been anyway but now there’s no doubt. Everyone knows what’s coming.”

The best-of-seven series starts at 7 p.m. PDT Friday in the Pengrowth Saddledome at Calgary. The teams readied for it with a bruising regular-season finale with 41 penalties handed out.

“Every series will be physical,” Duck Coach Randy Carlyle said. “Not just this one. It’s playoff hockey.”

Duck defenseman Sean O’Donnell said both teams would be much more disciplined with the stakes raised.

“We’re known as a quick, skilled team and their defense is more of a pound-it, work-for-everything-you-get team,” O’Donnell said. “I think from their perspective, they were trying to say to our forwards, ‘Look, do you really want to do this for the next seven games?’ and try to deter some of our guys,” he said. “For some of our forwards, this is their first time doing this. This is a good indicator of what they’re going to have to go through.”

Lupul said the Ducks showed they wouldn’t be intimidated by the Flames’ rough tactics. “Every time something happened, everyone was right in there. It’s good to know that your teammates are going to have your back.”

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Left wing Todd Fedoruk skated before practice Tuesday but his sore back may not allow him to play in Game 1.

“He was much better today than he was yesterday,” Carlyle said.

If Fedoruk isn’t available, Travis Moen will probably fill in. Moen squared off with Calgary defenseman Bryan Marchment during his nearly five minutes of ice time Monday.

“It’s unfortunate for Todd,” Carlyle said. “The bottom line is if he doesn’t play, we have other players in the lineup who can [come in]. Travis Moen proved he can go in and play any situation he’s presented with.”