Ducks not worried about the Sharks just yet

Off in the distance are the San Jose Sharks. The Ducks are doing their best to see this as a matter of little importance.

The Sharks sit atop the Pacific Division, with a 10-point lead over the Ducks and one game in hand. San Jose's 18-3-1 record translates into an NHL-best 37 points.

"San Jose is playing well, but it is a long season," the Ducks' Ryan Getzlaf said. "We just have to focus on what we need to do. It's too early to be watching the old calendar."

Maybe so, but the fact remains that a division championship has been the steppingstone to the Stanley Cup. The last time a team failed to win its division and won the Cup was in the 1999-2000 season, when the New Jersey Devils did it. Of the last 15 Stanley Cup champions, 11 also won a division title.

Still, Coach Randy Carlyle said it was too soon to worry about the chase.

"We watch their games and we look at the standings," Carlyle said. "They've had some luck and they've earned it. But we have to worry about our own game."

The Ducks have seen how a fast start can set the pace. In 2006-07, they were 19-2-6 through the first two months. It gave the Ducks a cushion that came in handy later.

The Sharks were 11 points behind the Ducks on March 4 that season and were 13-1-3 down the stretch, closing to within three points of first place.

"We know how these things can change," Getzlaf said. "We had some injuries after Christmas that year and things got a little tighter. A lot can happen between now and the end of the season."

New goaltender

David LeNeveu, recalled from minor league Iowa, went through practice with the Ducks on Thursday. He replaces Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who will miss Friday's game against the Chicago Blackhawks while attending to a non-hockey situation.

"David will backup Jonas Hiller," Carlyle said. "There, that's the first time you got me to name a starter."

One timers

Forward Ryan Carter missed practiced because of flu. . . . Forward Brian Sutherby (groin) skated on his own before practice Thursday but is unlikely to play this weekend. . . . Forward Brad Larsen (sports hernia) practiced with the team but said there was still no timetable for his return.

Foster is a Times staff writer.

chris.foster@latimes.com