Peaking Ducks look even mightier

ANAHEIM, Calif. – No longer the Mighty Ducks, they’re playing like the mightier Ducks.

Chris Pronger, Scott Niedermayer, Teemu Selanne and Jean-Sebastien Giguere have led the way, and the Anaheim Ducks are flying along with one of the best records in NHL history at this point of the season.

With Norris Trophy winners Pronger and Niedermayer anchoring the defense and igniting the offense, a rejuvenated Selanne putting the puck into the net and Giguere keeping it out of it at the other end of the ice, the Ducks have a 27-5-6 record.

They’ve failed to win at least a point in only five games and their 60 points tie them for the fifth most through 38 games, matching the Montreal Canadiens in 1975-76 and 1976-77. Two of the Ducks’ points are from shootout victories, which would have been ties back then.

The 1929-30 Boston Bruins top the list with 67 points after 38 games.

“There’s a reason why they’re first in the league,” Dallas’ Stephane Robidas said after the Ducks dominated the Stars in a recent 4-1 victory. “They played the game the same way they’ve been playing all year.

“They just work hard and play within their system and play the game the way it should be.”

Said Niedermayer: “So far our guys have been doing a great job staying committed and working as hard as they can.”

The Ducks are much changed since Henry and Susan Samueli bought the team from The Walt Disney Co. in February 2005 during the NHL lockout.

They hired Brian Burke as general manager and Randy Carlyle as coach and brought in some well-established players. Among the acquisitions were the free-agent signings of Niedermayer and Selanne in August 2005, and the surprising Ducks went on to make the Western Conference finals last season.

In July, they got Pronger in a trade with Edmonton, a move many believe has made them the Stanley Cup favorites this season.

The veterans, including the 36-year-old Selanne (19 goals, 45 points) blend with a talented group of younger players, including center Ryan Getzlaf and right wing Corey Perry, both 21.

Giguere gets a kick out of watching Niedermayer and Pronger put it all together.

“It’s really fun. They’re great players,” he said. “The good thing with them is they make you better as a player, make you better as a team. They show you what it takes to win. Those guys are so valuable to this team.”