Ducks parlay news of return by Niedermayer into a win

Judging by the way the Ducks looked Wednesday night, it appears the news that Scott Niedermayer is returning has already made an impact.

Niedermayer wasn’t on the ice but the struggling Ducks looked re-energized in a 4-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres in front of a sellout crowd at Honda Center.

Andy McDonald and Mathieu Schneider each had a goal and an assist, and Todd Bertuzzi got his first goal at home. Corey Perry got his team-leading 14th goal as the Ducks (13-12-4) pulled to within four points of first-place Dallas in the Pacific Division.

And now the Ducks will get back the Conn Smythe trophy-winning former captain, who could be playing as soon as next week.

“There’s no doubt about it, we’re an excited group to have Scotty coming back,” McDonald said.

“I mean, he’s such a terrific player. We’re going to be that much better as a team.”

The Ducks have been like a pendulum since their four-game winning streak, swinging back and forth between the occasional victory and the head-scratching bad losses that have led to team meetings.

The latest occurred before Wednesday’s morning skate as General Manager Brian Burke made a rare appearance to let the players know of Niedermayer’s decision and then to let them have it after lackluster performances in consecutive four-goal losses to the sub-.500 Edmonton Oilers.

“Quite frankly, I think we’re sick of meetings,” said Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who made 22 saves.

“Enough is enough. Every single guy knows what they have to do to be their best. And we need every single guy to do it.

“It’s never fun to have a meeting with the GM. That’s the last thing you want to have. When Burkie gets mad . . . that’s all I can say about that.”

Following an early goal by Jochen Hecht, the Ducks responded later in the first period as McDonald got just his fourth goal of the season and first since Nov. 9.

Schneider ripped in a power-play goal past goalie Ryan Miller in the second period. Bertuzzi then crashed the net and banged in a nice cross-ice feed from McDonald.

The Ducks also did it on defense, killing off all four Buffalo power plays, after their breakdown on Hecht’s two-on-none goal with Jason Pominville.

“That was the most workmanlike 60 minutes that we’ve played in the last 60 days or two months,” Coach Randy Carlyle said. “We’re happy with our effort. Now we’ve got to do it again.”

The game was the first NHL matchup between Miller and his younger brother, Drew, a Ducks forward. Drew Miller had two shots on goal, including a good scoring chance in the second period.

Center Brian Sutherby was scratched because of a strained groin, but he said he hopes to skate Friday morning before the Ducks’ game in Chicago. . . . Ducks enforcer George Parros and Buffalo’s Andrew Peters had fights in the first and third periods.

eric.stephens@latimes.com