Ducks Waddle Past Red Wings

Around the NHL

Sure it was dull, lifeless, frustrating hockey. But the Anaheim Mighty Ducks loved every minute of it Sunday in Joe Louis Arena.

It took 60 minutes of regulation and 3:41 more of overtime, but the Ducks’ patient counterpunching style finally paid off in a 1-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings, their first ever at Detroit.

Steve Rucchin’s goal, after a long rebound eluded Red Wing goaltender Mike Vernon, gave Mikhail Shtalenkov his second shutout of the season.

“Well, it just doesn’t get any better than that, does it?” Ducks Coach Ron Wilson said. “I’ve never seen us play as good as that.”

Greg Adams scored the deciding goal 6 minutes into the third period as the Dallas Stars beat the Vancouver Canucks 3-2.

The victory extended the Stars’ unbeaten streak to nine games (7-0-2) and dealt a blow to the Canucks’ playoff hopes.

Ulf Dahlen scored his first goal in six weeks to break a tie in the final period and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Buffalo Sabres 3-2, strengthening their chances for the postseason.

Joe Murphy stole the puck and scored unassisted early in the third period as the St. Louis Blues strengthened their playoff position with a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Blues beat the Flyers for the first time since Oct. 31, 1992, probably because they needed it so much. With six games to go, the Blues have 75 points for the seventh-best record in the Western Conference, one point ahead of Chicago.