This was how the Ducks won games before cap-driven trades, temporary retirements, self-destructive tendencies and injuries dragged them down to the middle of the NHL pack.
Splendid goaltending, a potent power play and strong penalty-killing fueled their 2007 Stanley Cup triumph, elements that have since shown up infrequently and rarely at the same time.
The Ducks recaptured those ingredients Sunday, fending off the lethargy and adversity that have swamped them and winning a game they had considered vital.
Goaltender Jonas Hiller stopped 29 shots -- eight during a four-minute disadvantage in the second period --and Bobby Ryan contributed a goal and an assist on two successful power plays as the Ducks earned a sound 2-0 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes at the Honda Center.
"The proof in the pudding is that their team is a past champion," said Coyotes Coach Wayne Gretzky, who knows a few things about winning titles.
"They want to become a champion again. They played this game like it was a playoff game."
The victory, only the Ducks' second in their last seven games, was as important to their playoff positioning as their self-esteem. They had been tied for sixth with the Coyotes but now have a two-point edge and more optimism than they did after their 5-4 shootout loss Friday to the Flyers.
"They had the same amount of points and for sure we want to look forward and not to the teams behind us," Hiller said after recording his third NHL shutout.
"But also it was important mentally. We had a good game against Philly and lost it in the shootout, which was hard on our mind. Everybody fought back and we showed today that if we play the same way, we always have a chance to win, and tonight that's what we did."
It was what they used to do so well -- and must do again on a consistent basis.
"Tonight was our best team effort that we've had," said Coach Randy Carlyle, who cautioned his players against trading scoring chances, as they had done against the Flyers, and demanded a grinding game on every inch of the ice.
Grit and intensity were key parts of their 2007 success too, but their cast has changed dramatically since then and it changed again Sunday, with Teemu Selanne still recovering from a lacerated thigh and Corey Perry serving the first game of a four-game suspension.
