Finally Home, They Take a Needed Break

The Ducks beat a hasty retreat home from Pittsburgh late Saturday night, then skipped practice Sunday.

They have been on the road for 18 of 31 games, including their two-game series against the Vancouver Canucks in Tokyo. They begin a six-game homestand Wednesday against Pittsburgh.

“I know this is no excuse, but that was the longest 10-day trip I’ve been on in my career,” goaltender Guy Hebert said. “I don’t know if it was the trip to Japan and a couple of other trips, but it seems like we’ve been traveling constantly.”

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Rookie center Antti Aalto certainly didn’t look nervous in his NHL debut Saturday.

“You didn’t see me before the game,” he said after the Ducks’ 5-2 loss. “I was nervous before the game. I couldn’t sleep [Friday] night.”

All things considered, Aalto made a solid first impression. He didn’t seem timid. He also played on the second power-play unit and was not on the ice for any of the Penguin goals.

“After I play a couple of games, it’ll get better and better,” Aalto said. “It was a good start for me, but we lost, so I can’t be too happy.”

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The Ducks are 0-3-1 in their five-season history at Pittsburgh’s Civic Arena. They are 1-5-1 all-time against the Penguins. . . . Ron Wilson makes his return Friday to the Pond as coach of the Washington Capitals. He coached the Ducks for four seasons until his contract was not renewed May 20.

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Wednesday--Pittsburgh; Friday--Washington; Dec. 17--Toronto; Dec. 19--Phoenix; Dec. 21--San Jose;Dec. 22--Calgary; Dec. 27--at St. Louis; Dec. 28--at Chicago; Dec. 30--at Carolina.

Jan. 1--at Washington; Jan. 3--at Tampa Bay