Todd Marchant News

The last time the Ducks were about to embark on a daunting road trip, the season had just started and the standings were not a pressing issue.

As if the Ducks haven't given their fans enough stress lately, Saturday night they decided to stop playing in the third period long enough to allow the Phoenix Coyotes to make it a close game.

Raffi Torres scored twice as the Columbus Blue Jackets knocked off the Atlanta Thrashers, 4-3, at Philips Arena.

Jonas Hiller made 40 saves to earn his fifth NHL shutout, Teemu Selanne scored two goals to overtake Hall of Famer Jean Beliveau on the career points list, and the Anaheim Ducks beat the short-handed Nashville Predators 5-0 on Thursday night.

It's such a confusing time as a Ducks fan right now. Should we be happy that the Ducks are making progress in their game? Or should we be upset that it's takingA so many gamesA to get it figured out? Is there something to take from the fact that the Ducks are finding ways to kill penalties? Or should we be upset that the Ducks are still taking so ...

The Pittsburgh Penguins ' unblemished road record in October helped them match the best opening month in NHL history.

Rumors have circulated that Anaheim might be looking for a bit more scoring punch to help kick-start the struggling Ducks.

Radim Vrbata helped the Phoenix Coyotes cap a banner October with another late win.

Corey Perry is easily off to the best start of his career, and the Ducks right wing could be opening the eyes of officials with Team Canada.

Brian Burke left Toronto this week - or escaped if you look at it another way - to revisit some old stomping grounds and remember what it was like when his teams won.

With their losing streak up to four games and getting uglier, that was one question tossed about after the Ducks practiced Wednesday following a day away from the rink.

The Ducks tried a new reaction to their latest loss, a 6-3 debacle to the previously winless Toronto Maple Leafs.

For a guy nicknamed The Monster, there is not much snarl in Jonas Gustavsson. This kid is one cool cat, a quality that was on display during the Maple Leafs morning skate at the Honda Center today.

Looking to snap a two-game losing streak, the Ducks took several steps forward Saturday.

Ducks winger Ryan Carter left his feet and fired an elbow at Steve Staios, knocking Staios's helmet off, late in the first period.

After getting shut out for the second time in three games, the Ducks understandably focused on offense in a two-hour practice Sunday.

Anaheim's Todd Marchant, left, looks on as Minnesota's Andrew Brunette, centre, is pushed off the puck by Ducks teammate Scott Niedermayer during Wednesday's game.

Ducks tonight VS. MINNESOTA Where: Honda Center. When: 7. On the air: TV: Prime.

I'm definitely glad this road trip is over. I'll admit, the Ducks are coming home better than expected especially after what happened against Minnesota to start out the trip .

Ales Kotalik's power-play goal snapped a third-period tie, and backup Steve Valiquette made 18 saves in the New York Rangers' fourth straight victory, 3-0 over the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday.