Most of the Ducks that played in their Game 5 overtime loss to San Jose took the day off Sunday as practice was canceled and those who wanted to skate could hit the Honda Center ice.The mission: Get past the near-miss in eliminating the top-seeded Sharks and mentally prepare for another opportunity in Game 6 Tuesday night in Anaheim.
Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said he’s already past it.
“You turn the page,” Carlyle said. “Start over tomorrow.”
Defenseman Scott Niedermayer, the team’s captain, said he’s learned over time how to move on from a tough defeat. The Ducks rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the third period before Patrick Marleau’s overtime goal gave San Jose a 3-2 victory.
“That’s sort of the challenge of playoff hockey,” Niedermayer said. “You really always keep your eye on the next shift. Keep it as simple as that. It’s not easy. It’s easily said, tougher to do, I guess.
“That’s our challenge right now. Just to regroup, try and learn from the last game and be better tomorrow night.”
Carlyle said that winger Bobby Ryan, who missed three shifts in the third period Saturday night, was off the ice because of a bad skate that needed major repair after Ryan landed on the ice when he attempted a one-timer.
According to the Orange County Register, Ryan referred to it as a “weird digger.” The No. 2 pick in 2005 has four goals in the series to lead all scorers.
Center Petteri Nokelainen, who was a healthy scratch in Game 4, remained in Anaheim to undergo an MRI exam for an unspecified upper-body issue. Ryan Carter took his place in the lineup and led the Ducks’ comeback Saturday with his first-ever playoff goal.
“I think he gave us a spark,” said Carlyle of the 25-year-old Carter.
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