Hebert Takes the Blame

NASHVILLE — Goalie Guy Hebert dived on a sword Thursday, blaming himself for giving up a couple of soft goals in the Ducks’ 5-2 loss Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks.

“It’s not an excuse, but I had a hard time picking up the puck,” Hebert said a day after the Ducks were all but eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoff race. “Three shots caught me by surprise. I was looking down and the puck was going up.”

Hebert gave up two long-range wrist shots, a one-timer from the top of the left faceoff circle and a breakaway. The Blackhawks added an empty-net goal in the final minutes.

The toughest goal for Hebert to stomach was a weak floater by Jean-Yves Leroux that beat him for the go-ahead goal 38 seconds after Paul Kariya tied the score, 2-2, midway through the final period.

“That killed us, no question about it,” Hebert said. “No one felt worse than I did at that moment.”

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Vitaly Vishnevski, an impressive rookie defenseman, will be sidelined for the rest of the season because of a rib injury suffered when he was cross-checked in the first period Wednesday.

TONIGHT

at Nashville, 5 PDT

Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Gaylord Entertainment Center.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 33-35-12-2, Predators 28-46-7-7.

* Record vs. Predators--3-0.

* Update--In order for the Ducks to advance to the postseason, they must win tonight and against the Kings on Sunday. Edmonton must lose tonight against Vancouver and Saturday against Calgary. In addition, Vancouver must not win Sunday against San Jose.