For the Ducks to set a foundation for their future, if youngsters such as Bobby Ryan, James Wisniewski and Ryan Carter are going to join Getzlaf and Corey Perry as the next generation of leaders, they must take the first step tonight and compete harder than they did Sunday.
They can start by peppering goaltender Chris Osgood with shots because he is Detroit's weakest link and they haven't tested him hard yet. The Ducks have reached double figures in shots in only four of 18 periods in this series. The Red Wings have hit double figures in shots in 13 of 18 periods, including the Ducks' triple-overtime victory in Game 3.
The Ducks must also avoid turnovers and bad penalties, move their feet, and be strong in the neutral zone -- all the things they didn't do Sunday.
"Well, it can't be any worse. That's our starting point," Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle said.
"We're looking at it like, 'Hey, we didn't play anywhere near the level that's required.'
"We've reviewed it as a coaching staff, but at this point it doesn't make any sense to dwell on what happened. We'll be judged by our performance [tonight]."
Marchant says he believes the Ducks will rise to the occasion.
"If we didn't have that sense, we're going to be going home pretty quick," he said. "We're optimistic in here we can play a better game of hockey than we did, certainly in Game 5. We're going to have to, in order to beat this team."
Carlyle, looking to shake his team out of its complacency, separated longtime linemates Perry and Getzlaf on Sunday when he put Petteri Nokelainen between Ryan and Perry and put Erik Christensen alongside Getzlaf and Selanne. Christensen fed Ryan Whitney for the Ducks' goal and nearly scored the tying goal late in the second period, so those are combinations Carlyle is likely to try again.
"We're not trying to reinvent the wheel here," Carlyle said.
No need to do that. Or invoke any of the usual and applicable cliches.
Lose, and you're done. Win, and you've given yourself a chance to create a lasting memory.
"I believe in this group," Carlyle said.
Tonight we'll discover if his players believe in themselves.
--
helene.elliott@latimes.com
--
Ducks vs. Detroit
Red Wings lead series, 3-2
Game 6: Tonight, 7, Prime
