Power Play Has Flipped Switch in Recent Games

The Mighty Ducks’ power play has languished among the bottom third of the NHL for the majority of the season, but the unit is showing signs of life.

They still rank 24th out of 30 teams in man-advantage situations but they had two power-play goals in the first period Friday against Dallas and Monday night at home against the Kings. Overall, they have converted only 15.5% of their opportunities -- 39 goals in 251 chances.

“Our power play hasn’t been good enough to this point, especially on the road,” said forward Joffrey Lupul, who had three assists in Monday’s 6-2 victory. “But [Ryan] Getzlaf got us going with a great goal there on the power play and we’re probably expected to score on a five-on-three.”

In the post-lockout NHL where man-advantage situations now have a greater effect on games, the Ducks have a 15-7-3 record when scoring a power-play goal and are 4-9-4 without one. The power play figures to take on even greater significance after veteran forward Petr Sykora was traded to the New York Rangers on Sunday.

The Ducks’ offensive production has increased since Thanksgiving -- they’re averaging 3.36 goals in 19 games -- but they still rank 19th in goals scored with 121. Calgary is the only team with fewer goals that is sitting in playoff position.

Another statistic to ponder: The Ducks are 17-1-3 when scoring three or more goals.

Captain Scott Niedermayer said it will take more of a collective effort to find more offense without Sykora, who had just seven goals this season but led the Ducks with 34 in 2002-03.

“You lose a guy that’s proven he can score,” Niedermayer said. “At the same time, there’ll be opportunities for different guys. If you play well as a team, we’ll all benefit from that.

“If you do the things you’re supposed to be doing, you’re going to score goals.”

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Coach Randy Carlyle has been urging left wing Jonathan Hedstrom to shoot more even while he has played on a checking line this season.

Carlyle shook things up Monday by putting Hedstrom on a line with Lupul and Todd Marchant, and the forward responded with his first career three-goal game against the Kings. Hedstrom, in his first full NHL season, has 11 goals with nine of them coming at home.

“I know I can score, but I need to shoot the puck more,” Hedstrom said. “I always look to pass first but I need to take the shot more. You need to be selfish sometimes.”

Said Carlyle: “There’s a few guys I’ve been on in that room to shoot the puck more.”

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The Ducks will play host to their annual casino night event tonight at the Arrowhead Pond to raise funds for the Orangewood Children’s Foundation, which provides support and resources to foster children and at-risk families in Orange County.

Guests will get a chance to play casino-style games with players. Tickets: (877) 945-3946.