In the past four games Anaheim has played well, but only had one win to show for their efforts.  Coming off a disappointing loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Ducks found a way to get two well-needed points in a 4-0 shutout, Jonas Hiller’s first of the season.

Although the announced crowd was 14,298, there were plenty of empty seats all around.  Not much draw in the Nashville Predators on a Thursday night.  The energy in the building was flat and it was reflected on the ice for most of the game. 

Despite scoring two goals, one on the power play and one while 4 on 4, Teemu Selanne was still disappointed that it was not a more energetic effort. 

“For some reason we were a little too flat,” Selanne commented after the game.  “this team can play way better than we did. The good thing – we found a way to win the game.  That’s all that really matters.”

After Selanne’s power play goal at 15:32 of the first period, both teams remained neck and neck.

“It was a nip and tuck game until the third period,” said coach Randy Carlyle.  “We found a way to score three goals in the third period to give us some breathing room.”

Selanne’s second goal at 8:05 was the first breath.  Less than two minutes later the Ducks inhaled deeper when Todd Marchant scored his first of the year at 9:51.  He hadn’t seen the back of the net since April 10, 2009.

“I didn’t expect it to take that long either,” pondered Marchant.  “Sometimes you just can’t figure out how or why or what’s going on.   It’s nice to get one on the board, but more importantly it’s nice to get two points here at home.”

Both goals came with a little more room on the ice because Joel Ward was in the penalty box for tripping Bobby Ryan and Ryan was called for diving.   Ryan redeemed himself at 17:40 by putting a goal in the net behind Pekke Rinne that made it look easy.   

“We just have to start building the confidence from little things,” said Selanne.  

One of those little things is the growing chemistry between Selanne and Saku Koivu.    Things are finally starting to click between the Finnish duo, despite Finnish media early on insisting it would be instantaneous.

“We’ve been looking for that chemistry and they have too,” said Carlyle.  “It’s not an easy thing to do.  Their expectations as individuals are very high.  Hopefully this is the start of it.”

The pair teamed up for both of Selanne’s goals, the first of which moved him past Jean Beliveau for sole possession of 38th on the all time points list.  Selanne also took over 10th overall in power play goals (211).  

One thing that was not so little was the win.  Now the Ducks will want to up their game against the Phoenix Coyotes and hopefully string two wins together before heading out on a four game road trip.  Now that would be a really big thing.

In other notes:  James Wisniewski served the second game of his two game suspension.  He will be eligible to play on Saturday against Phoenix.

Assists by Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry extended their points streak to seven games, a career high for Perry.  Getzlaf now has assists in six games, the longest current assist streak in the NHL.