Prospal Finally Finds Right Line for Him

Besides changing teams, conferences and time zones when he signed with the Mighty Ducks as a free agent last summer, winger Vaclav Prospal has had to adjust to a parade of linemates while Coach Mike Babcock searched for offensive sparks and defensive stability.

The revolving door might finally have stopped for Prospal. He has played well the last week with fellow Czech Petr Sykora and Swedish center Samuel Pahlsson, and the trio has helped boost the Ducks into the top eight in the West.

“It’s very similar to Sergei [Fedorov]. He’s trying to find his game within our game,” Babcock said Thursday of Prospal, who scored a career-high 22 goals for Tampa Bay last season but has three goals and nine points as a Duck. “It’s a battle for him too. It’s early in the process, just like Sergei. Those guys are going to get a lot better when they figure out exactly what we need them to do.”

What he needs from Prospal is simple.

“Our priority is for him to do what he does best, which is generate offense, pass the puck, be hard on the puck,” Babcock said.

Prospal, who teamed with Pahlsson to set up Sykora for the Ducks’ fifth goal Wednesday, is comfortable with his linemates.

“The past couple of games we did OK,” he said. “It’s always nice when you get to stay with the same people and get used to them. It doesn’t always happen right away. You need some time.”

He also said Sykora’s style suits his.

“Most of the time I pass the puck, and he’s the one that puts it in the net,” he said, smiling. “I’d like to get us playing as well as we can to help our team and help ourselves.”

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Rookie right wing Joffrey Lupul has reached several milestones, such as his first NHL point and first goal. To those he can add his first experience as the subject of a trade rumor.

Lupul last week was reported to be the price for the Ducks to acquire the rights to unsigned forward Mike Comrie from the Oilers. An Edmonton native and seventh overall choice in the 2002 entry draft, Lupul was more flattered than concerned.

“Mike Comrie is a really good player. I guess I’ve got to look at it as a compliment as much as anything,” said Lupul, who has two goals and seven points in 16 games.

“I know there have been all those rumors, that Mike wants to get out of Edmonton, and the rumors have him going different places. My phone was ringing off the hook from friends saying, �Hey, are you coming here?’ But that’s about as far as it went. It has died down, and I hope it stays that way.”

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Defenseman Kurt Sauer, who sat out the last two games because of a sprained left ankle and has worn a brace, is unlikely to play against the Blues on Sunday at the Arrowhead Pond. “He’s having trouble pushing, so obviously, it’s an issue,” Babcock said.... The Ducks took the NHL lead in faceoff percentage at 56%, boosted by their 31-18 (63%) dominance of Toronto on Wednesday. They led the NHL last season with a 55.21% success rate.... Sunday will be Babcock’s 100th game as Duck coach. He’s 46-34-10-9 for 111 points in 99 games.