Important Trip Has Begun Well

EDMONTON, Canada — No one would put it on the record, but the common perception was that the Mighty Ducks needed at least five points on their all-important four-game trip to remain in position for a final push at the playoffs after the Olympic break.

The Ducks started the trip on a high note with their second consecutive victory at San Jose. Center Andy McDonald sees no reason why they can’t win the remaining three.

“We’re not thinking we want to win two out of four or whatever,” McDonald said. “We want to win every game. You’ve got to prepare that way.”

Coach Randy Carlyle also would not offer any kind of prediction on what the Ducks needed.

“It’s natural to look at the standings and say we’re five points out or six points out and say you’ve got to be successful,” he said. “I think the most important thing is, we focus on points for our group.

“In order for us to have a chance to make the playoffs, we have to have success. There’s no time like the present.”

TONIGHT

at Edmonton, 6 PST, FSN West 2

Site -- Rexall Place.

Radio -- 1090.

Records -- Ducks 25-18-10, Oilers 29-18-7.

Record vs. Oilers -- 0-2-0.

Update -- Edmonton, which won both meetings at the Pond this season, has won 10 in a row against the Ducks at home with the Oilers’ last loss coming Feb. 24, 1999. Chris Pronger, a former league MVP with St. Louis, has seven goals and 28 assists in his first season with the Oilers after signing as a free agent.