From Wings to the Wild

One day after their most decisive victory over the Detroit Red Wings since March 2003 -- also at home, and also 4-1 -- the Ducks moved on to their next test on this homestand.

The new-look Minnesota Wild team that comes into Anaheim tonight is 6-0, putting the Wild and the Buffalo Sabres at the top of the heap as the only undefeated teams left. Five of those Minnesota victories have been at home, giving the team its best start in franchise history.

Patiently building through the draft since its 2000-01 expansion, the Wild has embraced a win-now philosophy, much as the Ducks did in the off-season. Minnesota traded for high-scoring forward Pavol Demitra and signed goal-scorer Mark Parrish and offensive defenseman Kim Johnsson to complement Marian Gaborik and Brian Rolston.

Parrish has started slowly but Demitra has immediately clicked with Slovak countryman Gaborik, tying Rolston for the team scoring lead with eight points. The additions have provided an offensive element the Wild lacked.

“They don’t have to rely on a couple of guys to score now,” Ducks goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere said Thursday. “They rely on two lines now. Knowing what we know from them in the past, they’re going to work real hard on the power play and in [penalty killing], they’re very meticulous in what they do. Now you add that skill and they’re going to be a very dangerous team.”

Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle said Minnesota’s success is not a surprise. “They’re not sneaking under the radar,” he said. “They’re a good hockey club and they’re at the top of their game right now.”

*

The line changes that were made during practice Tuesday had an immediate impact in Wednesday’s 4-1 victory. Teemu Selanne, Dustin Penner and Todd Marchant created scoring chances on their first shift, as did the line of Chris Kunitz, Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry.

With aid of a potent power play, Perry had a goal and two assists while Kunitz and Getzlaf each had a goal and an assist.

“When they mix up lines, yeah, everyone wants to go out and prove that it wasn’t just their linemates that were bringing them good luck,” Kunitz said. “I’ve played with guys like Getz and Perry a little bit on and off, so it’s not necessarily new lines.

“It’s a change. You’ve got to be able to adapt to anything in this game.”

TONIGHT

vs. Minnesota, 7

Site -- Honda Center.

Radio -- 830.

Records -- Ducks 4-0-2; Wild 6-0-0.

Record vs. Wild (2005-06) -- 1-2-1.

Update -- Both the Wild and the Ducks have scored 10 times on the power play in 36 chances and are tied for third in the league with a 27.8% conversion rate. Former Ducks defenseman Keith Carney has a goal and is averaging 12 minutes in six games.

Tickets -- (877) 945-3946.

eric.stephens@latimes.com