LONDON (AP) -After a whirlwind week in London, where the Anaheim Ducks paraded the Stanley Cup and played back-to-back games against the Los Angeles Kings, the defending champions aren’t exactly getting a rest.
Next up: a road game on Wednesday in Detroit. On paper that’s a much tougher challenge than playing the Kings on neutral ground. Plus the Ducks must again deal with a trans-Atlantic trip and the jet lag that comes with it.
Meanwhile, the perennial preseason favorite Red Wings are eager to avenge their Western Conference finals loss to Anaheim.
“It’s their home opener, so it’s gonna be pretty difficult,” Ducks captain Chris Pronger said. “We’re pretty well adjusted now (to London time). And now you have to readjust the other way. We’re gonna get in, I think, at three in the morning today. I don’t know if guys are gonna be able to sleep.”
It’s not much of a honeymoon for the defending champions, who continue their road trip with games at Columbus and Pittsburgh, Friday and Saturday.
The Ducks lost Saturday’s game 4-1 after allowing three power-play goals, but bounced back with a convincing 4-1 win on Sunday before heading straight to the airport.
Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said it was up to the coaching staff to make sure the players have time to recover for the Detroit game. Monday will be a rest day for the Ducks, followed by a team dinner in the evening.
“We competed hard in both hockey games, so we’ve got some wear and tear in our bodies,” Carlyle said. “But our mental focus was good.”
While his team may be tired on Wednesday, finding enough adrenaline against Detroit should not be a problem.
“We should be able to put a good effort forth, and make sure we’re prepared, because we know Detroit is oozing to get back at us,” Ponger said.
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