Babcock Finds Run of Turnovers Unappetizing

The Mighty Ducks reviewed the disturbing parts of their 8-6 victory over Detroit, complete with visual aids, before Monday’s practice.

Coach Mike Babcock had assistant coach Greg Carvel make a tape of all 14 of the goals and put it on repeat.

“I wanted them to see what we did defensively and offensively,” he said.

The message: no more pastry-like defensive efforts.

“We’re giving out turnovers,” Babcock said. “We’re not a bakery here. No more apple turnovers.

“There were too many offensive chances we gave them.”

The Ducks handed over the puck as if it were souvenir giveaway night. Goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere made 51 saves on 57 shots.

“I was really proud of how Jiggy handled all that,” captain Steve Rucchin said after the game. “You can analyze it as much as you want, but in an 8-6 hockey game, there is not much you can say, except both teams didn’t do the job defensively.”

Defensive lapses have been a concern for Babcock all season and will be a particular concern tonight, when his team plays Nashville.

The Ducks can only envy the Predators, who are winning with grit and goaltending. They are 17-10 in one-goal games.

“Nashville is a transition team,” Babcock said. “They transition off the mistakes you make. You can’t be out there saying, ‘Oh, I was trying to make a play.’ If the play is there, make it. If it’s not, don’t try.”

The Predators are in a four-team race for the last two playoff spots, with St. Louis, Edmonton and the Kings.

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Babcock received a different perspective of the offensive display when he arrived home Sunday night.

“I get out of the car and hear, ‘Coach! Coach!’ and there’s my neighbor,” Babcock said. “He said, ‘What a great game. I can’t talk, because I lost my voice. The Red Wing fans were booing Sergei [Fedorov] and we were yelling at them, and then you guys got things going. It was great.’

“We’ve been pretty good at home this season. I guess we have given our fans something to be excited about.”

The Ducks have an 18-10-7-4 record at home this season. They have nine road victories, fourth-fewest in the NHL.

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Martin Gerber will start in goal for the Ducks tonight.... Joffrey Lupul’s goal Sunday gave him 13 for the season, the second-most by a Duck rookie. Paul Kariya scored 18 in 1994-95.