Vishnevski Is Not Reaching His Goals

Defenseman Vitaly Vishnevski made a slick move around one Florida Panther, glided in front of the net, then waited until goalie Roberto Luongo had committed during Wednesday’s game.

A picture-perfect goal. Except, it wasn’t. Luongo managed to get his glove up and deflect Vishnevski’s shot. Denied again.

“Something is going on upstairs,� Vishnevski said. “Bad luck again.�

Vishnevski has gone 200 games without a goal, giving him the dubious honor of having the longest goal-less streak in team history.

His role is that of a defensive specialist and his reputation as a hard hitter is well earned. Even at that, a goal once in a while would be nice, from Vishnevski’s perspective.

He scored his last goal Oct. 29, 2000, at Calgary. Vishnevski nearly ended his streak there on Feb. 4, when he fired a shot from the blue line. Goalie Fred Brathwaite was out of position, but somehow got his right leg over to deflect the puck with his skate blade.

Vishnevski has two goals in 243 NHL games over three-plus seasons. He has 17 assists, three this season.

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Forward Mike Brown was recalled from minor league Cincinnati and forward Jonathan Hedstrom was sent down Thursday, as the Ducks looked to get a little tougher.... Defenseman Kurt Sauer, whose wife gave birth to a son Monday, rejoined the Ducks and is expected to play tonight.

TONIGHT

at Phoenix, 6 PST, Fox Sports Net 2

Site -- America West Arena.

Radio -- KPLS (830).

Records -- Ducks 30-22-8-4, Phoenix 24-26-8-4.

Record vs. Coyotes -- 2-0-1.

Update -- The Ducks are 4-0-1 in their last five games against Pacific Division teams.