Hebert’s Confidence Growing by the Save

Goalie Guy Hebert has used the phrase “building a wall” lately as a way to describe a fundamentally sound approach to stopping opposing shooters.

His second consecutive strong performance in a 4-2 victory Tuesday over the San Jose Sharks seemed to signal he was building his confidence as well.

“I’m just trying to go from one save to the next,” said Hebert, who had 23 saves against the Sharks and 25 in a 3-2 victory Sunday over the Edmonton Oilers. “If I can make a big save, then that’s good too.”

Hebert was benched for games last week against the Vancouver Canucks and the St. Louis Blues. He spent eight days working with goalie consultant Francois Allaire, trying to regain his sharpness after a series of lackluster games.

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John McMullen, New Jersey Devil owner, shot down rumors his team would trade for Mark Messier, captain of the Canucks.

“Mark Messier will not be traded to New Jersey,” McMullen told a Newark, N.J., newspaper. “He’s a fine young man, but what is he, 40?”

A New York newspaper has reported that Messier, 39, will be dealt soon to either the Devils or Rangers. Of course, the same paper also wrote that Duck winger Teemu Selanne would be traded to the Devils.

Pierre Gauthier, Duck president and general manager, denied the stories, calling them a “total fabrication.”

The NHL’s trade deadline is March 14.

TONIGHT

at Vancouver, 7

* Site--General Motors Place.

* Radio--KDIS (710).

* Records--Ducks 27-27-10-1, Canucks 21-30-12-6.

* Record vs. Canucks--0-0-2.

* Update--The Ducks are 7-3-4 since a lifeless 4-2 loss Jan. 26 to the New York Islanders. The Ducks also are 4-1-2 in their last seven. After Tuesday’s victory, they are at the .500 mark for the first time since they were 18-18-5-1 on Jan. 7.