Pahlsson delivers for Ducks

Fans at the Honda Center on Friday night got to see something out of Samuel Pahlsson and Rob Niedermayer that hasn’t happened in months.

Normally counted on to prevent the league’s top forwards from scoring, Pahlsson and Niedermayer were the ones that delivered in the clutch as they teamed on Pahlsson’s overtime goal in the Ducks’ 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues.

The dramatic moment provided an instant reminder of their dominant play in last year’s run to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup title, when both delivered key goals along with shutting down the best lines they faced throughout the playoffs.

“Those players check the best players in the league,” Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle said. “And tonight was another indication where they found a way to get the job done for us in scoring a goal.

“When the game is on the line, those players have been able to deliver for us before and they delivered again tonight.”

Playing against former Ducks Paul Kariya and Andy McDonald in the four-on-four overtime, Niedermayer picked up the puck deep in the St. Louis zone and saw his brother, Scott, and Pahlsson cutting to the net.

“I was just sort of hoping one of the two would get it,” Niedermayer said. “Fortunately, it went on Sami’s stick.”

Pahlsson got the feed and banged it past Blues goalie Manny Legace.

“It was a really great pass, a backhand saucer across the crease,” Pahlsson said. “It was almost perfect.”

In winning eight of nine, the Ducks (35-23-7) stayed four points behind first-place Dallas in the Pacific Division as the Stars defeated Edmonton. The Ducks’ Teemu Selanne and St. Louis’ Ryan Johnson traded the only other goals early in the third period.

“It’s all about wins right now,” Carlyle said. “Not about how but how many. That’s what it boils down to and that’s what happens in the stretch drive.”

Meanwhile, the Ducks also continued to monitor situations elsewhere.

General Manager Brian Burke said there is no truth to rumors that a deal is in place with Toronto to acquire Mats Sundin, the Maple Leafs’ star and longtime captain.

Sundin met with Cliff Fletcher, Toronto’s interim general manager, on Thursday when Fletcher reportedly asked the center for a list of teams he would consider playing for if he were to waive his no-trade clause.

The Ducks are among several teams believed to be interested in the 37-year-old Swedish star, who leads the Maple Leafs in scoring with 24 goals and 61 points. Sundin is expected to take the weekend to decide on his future.

Because of injuries to Doug Weight, Ryan Carter and Todd Marchant, the Ducks are suddenly thin down the middle with Ryan Getzlaf left as their only true playmaker. Burke said he doesn’t feel pressure to make a move for that reason.

“Everyone should be back for the playoffs,” Burke said. “We should get Dougie Weight back here in a week. We can move Bert [Todd Bertuzzi] into the middle too.”

One center they don’t have is McDonald, whom they traded to St. Louis for Weight and prospect Michal Birner on Dec. 14.

In his first game against the Ducks, McDonald delivered a decisive shootout goal against Giguere in a 1-0 victory at the start of the month in St. Louis. But his first time in Anaheim was quiet as he had one shot in 20 minutes of ice time.

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eric.stephens@latimes.com