Hartsburg Preaches Progress

The Dallas Stars are finally starting to rebound after a rocky start. The Phoenix Coyotes are struggling on a long trip. The San Jose Sharks have cooled after a torrid start.

And the Kings, what was that mess Wednesday against the New York Rangers?

Meanwhile, the NHL’s best last-place team seems primed for a hot streak that could lift it from the Pacific Division cellar.

The Mighty Ducks, eighth overall in the Western Conference with 35 points, have been down this path several times only to take a disappointing step backward.

A 4-2 victory Wednesday over the Colorado Avalanche gave the Ducks their sixth two-game winning streak. They have yet to win three in a row, however. They also haven’t been three games over .500 since last season.

“We have to keep getting better, stay on track and stick with the program,� Coach Craig Hartsburg said. “We’ve got to stay hungry.�

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Hartsburg wasn’t surprised by winger Jeff Nielsen’s two-goal game Wednesday against the Avalanche. Hartsburg is a big fan of Nielsen’s energetic play.

“[His] strengths are skating and finishing checks and being an energy player,� Hartsburg said of Nielsen, who doubled his goal output to four.

“If he keeps doing those things, the [offensive] rewards will come. The key thing is he’s not going into games, saying, ‘I’ve got to score some goals.’ �

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Hartsburg was impressed by defenseman Kevin Haller, who played his first game Wednesday since suffering a sprained left knee Nov. 15.

“He was real strong,� Hartsburg said. “He kept his game simple and played strong defensively.�

Haller also rang a shot off the goal post in the first period, narrowly missing his first goal since Oct. 8 against Dallas.

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Defenseman Pavel Trnka skated with teammates Thursday and will do so again today and Saturday. Hartsburg was uncertain whether Trnka, out since Dec. 8 because of a groin strain, will play Sunday against the Detroit Red Wings.

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Center Antti Aalto, sidelined because of a sprained left elbow, is scheduled to resume skating lightly on his own today.

TONIGHT

vs. Chicago, 7:30

Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Arrowhead Pond.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 15-13-4-1, Blackhawks 8-19-4-2.

* Record vs. Blackhawks--1-0-1.

* Update--Chicago has lost 11 of 15 but routed the Sharks, 5-2, Tuesday at San Jose. The Blackhawks also are 1-1-6 in their last eight against the Ducks, including a 4-2 defeat Nov. 19 at the Pond.

* Tickets--(714) 740-2000.