Playoff Pressure Is Welcomed

VANCOUVER, Canada — Another night, another emotional, must-win game for the Ducks.

Coach Craig Hartsburg said he wasn’t concerned about the mental wear and tear the playoff chase could have on the Ducks, then gave them the day off Thursday.

“It should be exciting for everybody to be playing in these big games,” he said. “You want to be involved and play in these types of games.”

The ninth-place Ducks trail the eighth-place San Jose Sharks by two points in the fight for the final Western Conference playoff spot. The Vancouver Canucks, who host the Ducks tonight, are two points behind Anaheim. San Jose plays host to Phoenix tonight.

“It’s playoff time,” Hartsburg said. “These are like playoff games. It should be easy. If you want to win and be the best, these games are fun.”

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Hartsburg mixed and matched his defense pairs at times during a 2-1 loss Wednesday to the Edmonton Oilers, and he might do it again tonight against the Canucks.

“We’re not afraid to play anybody with anybody,” Hartsburg said. “We have good chemistry. . . . One of our strengths is on defense. We feel very confident in our guys.”

TONIGHT

at Vancouver, 7

Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--General Motors Place.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 31-32-12-2, Canucks 26-34-14-8.

* Record vs. Canucks--0-1-2.

* Update--Right wing Teemu Selanne’s five-game point streak ended Wednesday. Guy Hebert is expected to make his fifth consecutive start in goal. He is 3-1-1 with a 1.80 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage in his last five starts. This is the Ducks’ seventh game in 11 nights.