Old, New Share in Game Plan

Five months have passed since the Mighty Ducks visited the Windy City, where they defeated the Blackhawks, 5-3, on opening night.

The Ducks are a far different team now, with a far different roster. And while such veterans as Sergei Fedorov, Petr Sykora, Keith Carney and Sandis Ozolinsh are gone, the Ducks’ momentum hasn’t slowed.

Center Todd Marchant, who arrived off waivers in November, said the coaches have been clear about what they expect.

“We have a solid game plan that we follow as much to the ‘T’ as we can,” Marchant said Thursday. “Guys who have come in have bought into it.... It’s been kind of a collective effort. This team wouldn’t be where it is if you have guys that want to do things differently.

“I’m sure there’s things that not everybody agrees with. As a collective whole, we have to buy into it or we won’t be successful.”

Duck Coach Randy Carlyle said his job is to put a player in a position to succeed. After the team picked up winger Jeff Friesen and defenseman Sean O’Donnell last week, Carlyle immediately installed Friesen on the top line and paired O’Donnell with Ruslan Salei on the second unit.

Friesen has since been moved off the line but Carlyle said the point was made.

“You try to integrate the player as quickly as possible into an area where he’s going to feel good about playing for you,” Carlyle said. “That’s the most important thing. Those are things that a player won’t consciously say they appreciate but subconsciously they feel they’re valued.”

TONIGHT

at Chicago, 5:30 PST, FSN West

Site -- United Center.

Radio -- 1090.

Records -- Ducks 31-21-12; Blackhawks 21-35-9.

Record vs. Blackhawks -- 3-0-0.

Update -- With a victory, the Ducks can sweep the season series for the second time in the last three seasons. The Blackhawks raised the white flag after trading away some of their veteran players last week, including center and second-leading scorer Tyler Arnason.