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Ducks far from ‘broken’ as Game 3 against Blackhawks looms

Ducks forward Matt Beleskey (39) knocks the puck past Chicago Blackhawks forward Brad Richards during Game 2 of the Western Conference finals at Honda Center on May 19, 2015.

Ducks forward Matt Beleskey (39) knocks the puck past Chicago Blackhawks forward Brad Richards during Game 2 of the Western Conference finals at Honda Center on May 19, 2015.

(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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There’s a vivid feistiness to the Ducks as they head into Game 3 of the NHL Western Conference finals Thursday night at United Center.

It’s rooted in the knowledge that they’re 50-24-8 on the road during the past two regular seasons, in the fact they won here in their only visit in October, and in the belief they’re better than the Chicago Blackhawks.

In response to a question that suggested that Tuesday’s triple-overtime Game 2 loss at Honda Center may have “broken” the Ducks, forward Matt Beleskey said, “I wouldn’t say we got broken -- [hit] three crossbars in overtime, it could have gone either way. That’s overtime. That’s playoffs. The series is tied; [uit’s] best of five now.”

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Beleskey made it clear that one loss hadn’t altered the Ducks’ confidence that they’ll win the series.

“It’s the same two teams on the ice. We know what we have to do. We know how the game went better than anyone else watching it,” he said.

Following Wednesday’s morning skate, Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf said his team has analyzed video of Game 2 and “learned from our mistakes.

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“We’re trying to do the same thing, whether we’re home or away. It was about getting your body reprepared for another battle. Game plan doesn’t change.”

Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau said he hadn’t decided if he’ll make any lineup adjustments.

“We’ll have a couple guys take warm-up, but we don’t know if we’re putting them in yet,” Boudreau said.

What matters most, Boudreau said, is his team’s proven ability to bounce back from losses.

“The guys come to play, which is why you win 50-plus games in a year,” he said.

Ducks forward Andrew Cogliano, who scored the team’s first goal in Game 2, said the team’s attitude is, “We’re right there.

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“Chicago’s a good team. They get a lot of press. They play an exciting brand of hockey, but last game could’ve gone either way and there’s no reason to feel any uneasiness coming into this building,” Cogliano said. “No better building to be in, no better team to do this against.

“You have to have that belief.”

Times staff writer Lisa Dillman contributed to this report.

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