Mighty Ducks continue winning close games

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Anaheim Mighty Ducks are winning the close ones, and they've been nearly unbeatable away from home.

Minnesota must find a way to reverse those two trends to avoid falling behind 2-0 in the Western Conference finals.

The Mighty Ducks improved to 5-0 in overtime games and 5-1 on the road by beating the Wild 1-0 in two extra periods Saturday. Game 2 is tonight in St. Paul.

"You've got to win a game in their building anyway to advance, so you might as well get it over with early," Mighty Ducks center Adam Oates said after practice Sunday at the University of Minnesota.

Anaheim also got 39 saves from Jean-Sebastien Giguere and a few fortunate bounces to beat the Wild, continuing a trend that developed in the first two rounds. In sweeping defending champion Detroit and beating Dallas 4-2, the Ducks won the first two games on the road in both of the series.

Taking a 2-0 lead back to the Arrowhead Pond would be a huge step toward Anaheim's first-ever trip to the Stanley Cup Finals.

"This is not a lucky thing," coach Mike Babcock said. "We've worked hard all year and deserve to be here."

The Wild feel the same way, and they aren't fretting about the loss. Vancouver rallied from a 3-1 third-period deficit to win Game 1 of their second-round series with Minnesota 4-3 in overtime, but the Wild won the last three games to advance.

Devils not panicking

OTTAWA -- A word of advice from New Jersey Devils coach Pat Burns -- relax.

His team trails a series for the first time this postseason following a 3-2 overtime loss to the Senators that opened the Eastern Conference finals. Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is Tuesday night at Ottawa.

"You don't win a series by winning one game," Burns said Sunday. "I don't think we made major mistakes. I don't think it was something where we looked stupid. I don't think they dominated us. We're not worried. We're not panicking."

-- From wire reports