shots as Florida had its three-game winning streak snapped. Dave

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- A mere three weeks ago, Jonas Hiller was gearing up for the playoffs during another strong season as the Anaheim Ducks starting goalie. After a few poor starts got him benched to end the regular season, Hiller now appears to be the top-seeded Ducks last resort in net in the first round against Dallas. The Swiss Olympian is trying to stay positive for his teammates, but Hiller is undeniably dismayed. "Ive definitely not been the happiest guy to be around lately," Hiller said Monday. "You can ask my wife." Hiller won 29 games during the Ducks best regular season in franchise history, but he realizes hell likely watch one of Anaheims two rookie goalies make his playoff debut at Honda Center on Wednesday. Frederik Andersen and John Gibson have 31 combined games of NHL experience, but theyve both seized the opportunity created by Hillers minor slump. Hiller is still featured prominently on the wallpaper on the Ducks website, but that might be the only place Anaheim fans can see the soon-to-be free agent in uniform again unless the rookies falter. "Ive had a few sleepless nights," Hiller said. "The whole situation isnt easy, but at the same time, Im here in the playoffs, we had the best record in Ducks history, and I know Ive been a big part of it, so its not really a reason to hang your head." The Ducks (54-20-8) have the Western Conferences best record and a Pacific Division title heading to the post-season. What they dont have any more is a clear-cut starting goalie. Yet coach Bruce Boudreau and captain Ryan Getzlaf both claimed thats not a problem as they began preparations for Dallas. "Sometimes you have to make tough decisions," Boudreau said. "The good news is you see (Hiller) out there working really hard. I think were in a position where we have three good goalies. I dont think I can screw it up too bad, whoever I choose." Hiller has been the Ducks starting goalie for most of the past half-decade, starting when he seized the job from beloved veteran Jean-Sebastien Giguere during the 2008-09 season. He has won a playoff series and made an All-Star team while providing steady netminding for an up-and-down club that has frequently played inept defence in front of him. But Hiller has known for months that he could be headed out of Orange County. His contract expires this summer, and he hasnt received an extension from a team with most of its key parts locked up for several years. "Not knowing whats going to be next season and all that stuff makes it even a little tougher," Hiller said. "But at the end, the further we go, the better I think for everybody. I really hope Im going to get another chance, but if not, I want to be able to help the team no matter what." The Ducks apparent decision to relegate Hiller to the bench is based on his recent play, but its also likely influenced by their future. If they let Hiller walk, the Ducks need to know their youngsters can handle the job. So far, theyve been solid. Andersen, a 6-foot-4 Dane with a powerful net presence, hasnt lost a start since mid-March, going 20-5 with a .923 save percentage as Hillers backup this season. The 20-year-old Gibson is widely considered the strongest goaltending prospect in hockey. Although he was only called up when a minor injury sidelined Andersen recently, Gibson was named the NHLs second star for last week, allowing just four goals while winning his first three big-league starts. The Ducks seem confident either rookie can withstand the pressure of a post-season run with no prior experience on that stage. "Ive seen kids step up and run with things all the time," said Getzlaf, who won a Stanley Cup title during his second NHL season in 2006-07. "Sometimes its better not to know whats going on. You just go out there and play. You always hear that old saying, The dumb kids dont know any better. We were like that when we were young. We just went out and played and enjoyed the moment, and were just hoping our goaltenders can do that." Hiller said hell be rooting for the rookies along with his teammates, while still hoping for a chance to finish what he started in Anaheim six seasons ago. "If you want to go all the way, you probably play 20-plus games," Hiller said. "And 20 games ago, I had three shutouts in four games, so it can go quick either way." DeSean Jackson Eagles Jersey . -- Jerome Williams glanced at Philadelphias schedule and realized he would be facing the Oakland Athletics yet again, with another new team. Tommy McDonald Youth Jersey . -- Adrian Peterson takes a look around the league and sees big money flying everywhere. http://www.theeaglesshoponline.com/Youth-Dallas-Goedert-Eagles-Jersey/ . The seventh-ranked Berdych wants to focus on the ATP Tour after helping the Czechs beat the Netherlands in the first round. Seeking their third straight Davis Cup title, the Czechs will rely again on veteran Radek Stepanek. Mike Quick Eagles Jersey . Gorges is believed to have suffered the injury while blocking a shot with a hand during Montreals win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. The Canadiens added to their defensive depth this week by acquiring veteran Mike Weaver from the Florida Panthers. Randall Cunningham Eagles Jersey . Marc-Andre Fleury made 27 saves to backstop the Penguins to a 2-1 victory over the Flames, handing Calgary its team record sixth consecutive home regulation loss.Boston, MA (SportsNetwork.com) - David Pastrnak recorded his second straight two-goal game and the Boston Bruins upended the Tampa Bay Lightning, 4-3, at TD Garden. Brad Marchand and Milan Lucic also tallied for the Bruins, winners of four straight after losing three in a row. David Krejci and Torey Krug each posted a pair of assists while Tuukka Rask contributed 16 saves to the victory. Steven Stamkos tallied twice and Ryan Callahan once for the Lightning, who have lost back-to-back games for the first time since Dec. 19-20. Ben Bishop surrendered four goals on 34 shots in defeat. Final Score: Detroit 3, Buffalo 1 Buffalo, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Petr Mrazek stopped 25 shots and the Detroit Red Wings walked away with a 3-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday. Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar and Darren Helm all scored for the Red Wings, who have won three of their last four. Kyle Quincey posted two assists. Mike Weber scored the only goal of the game for the Sabres, who have lost their last eight games. Michal Neuvirth gave up all three goals on 30 shots. In a pregame ceremony, the Sabres retired the number 39 of former goaltender Dominik Hasek. Final Score: NY Islanders 3, NY Rangers 0 New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Jaroslav Halaks 27 saves and a dominant second period kept the Islanders the toast of New York, as the current Metropolitan Division leaders dealt the crosstown rival Rangers a 3-0 defeat at Madison Square Garden. Anders Lee, Nikolay Kulemin and Frans Nielsen all lit the lamp during the middle session to help the Islanders close out a season-high seven-game road trip with five wins and remain ahead of Pittsburgh for the division lead. The Rangers entered Tuesdays anticipated showdown with victories in 13 of their previous 14 games, but couldnt maintain the momentum as Halak outplayed Henrik Lundqvist and the Isles finished with a 44-27 advantage in shots. Lundqvist was replaced by Cam Talbot at the start of the third period after stopping 29-of-32 chances. Final Score: Pittsburgh 7, Minnesota 2 Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - David Perron posted two goals and an assist as the Pittsburgh Penguins powered past the slumping Minnesota Wild 7-2 on Tuesday. Paul Martin, Chris Kunitz and Kris Letang each finished with a goal and an assist, Marcel Goc and Brandon Sutter also lit the lamp and Sidney Crosby tallied three assists for the Penguins, who improved to 8-2 this season against Western Conference opponents. Marc-Andre Fleury made 30 saves in the win. Jonas Brodin and Justin Fontaine each scored for the Wild, who dropped their sixth straight game. Niklas Backstrom allowed six goals on 35 shots and John Curry gave up a goal on two shots in relief. Final Score: Carolina 3, Colorado 2 (SO) Raleigh, NC (SportsNetwork.com) - Victor Rask and Elias Lindholm scored on Carolinas first two chances in the shootout, and the Hurricanes overcame blowing a third-period lead to top the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 on Tuesday night. The Avalanche rallied with goals from Matt Duchene and John Mitchell, but were shut out by Anton Khudobin in the tiebreaker. Rask opened the shootout with a deke to the backhand. Lindholm also used the backhand to lift the puck over Calvin Pickards right pad. Jordan Staal and Patrick Dwyer scored in regulation for the Hurricanes, who improved to 4-1-1 in January. Khudobin made 28 saves.dddddddddddd Pickard stopped 44 shots for Colorado, which has opened a five-game road trip with consecutive one-goal losses. Final Score: St. Louis 4, Edmonton 2 St. Louis, MO (SportsNetwork.com) - David Backes and Vladimir Tarasenko each posted a goal and an assist to give the St. Louis Blues a 4-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. Jaden Schwartz and Alexander Steen each scored a goal for the Blues, who have won five straight. Jake Allen allowed two goals on 15 shots. Benoit Pouliot scored twice for the Oilers, who have lost their past two. Ben Scrivens allowed four goals on 29 shots in the loss. Final Score: Nashville 5, Vancouver 1 Nashville, TN (SportsNetwork.com) - Colin Wilson registered a season high of four points thanks to two goals and two assists as the Nashville Predators downed the Vancouver Canucks, 5-1, at Bridgestone Arena. Craig Smith, Filip Forsberg and Mike Fisher also tallied for the Predators, the Central Division leaders who have won four in a row and six of their last seven. Pekka Rinne stopped 20-of-21 shots before exiting early in the third period. The Finnish netminder was knocked backwards into the end boards in a collision between Vancouvers Chris Higgins and defenseman Anton Volchenkov. He was listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Carter Hutton finished the final 17-plus minutes with 10 stops. Alex Edler supplied the lone offense and Eddie Lack stopped just 25-of-30 shots for the Canucks, who have lost three in a row. Final Score: Winnipeg 8, Florida 2 Winnipeg, MB (SportsNetwork.com) - Mathieu Perreault scored four goals to lead the Winnipeg Jets to a convincing 8-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. Perreaults first two goals gave the Jets a 2-0 lead in the first period, and his next two were scored barely a minute apart late in the second period. Winnipeg got a pair of goals and an assist from Dustin Byfuglien. Jay Harrison and Evander Kane also lit the lamp for the Jets. Michael Hutchinson made 25 saves to help the Jets win for the second time in three games. Roberto Luongo allowed four goals on 20 shots for the Panthers before being yanked from the game. Al Montoya did not fare any better, allowing four more on 15 shots as Florida had its three-game winning streak snapped. Dave Bolland and Brad Boyes scored for the Panthers. Final Score: Dallas 5, Ottawa 4 Dallas, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - John Klingberg scored twice as the Dallas Stars ended a four-game skid with a 5-4 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday. Erik Cole and Ales Hemsky each tallied a goal and an assist and Trevor Daley also lit the lamp for the Stars, who have earned points in 11 of their last 12 games against the Senators. Mike Hoffman, Jared Cowen. Clarke MacArthur and Milan Michalek all scored for the Senators, who have lost four of their last five. Robin Lehner allowed all five goals on 29 shots in defeat. Final Score: San Jose 3, Arizona 2 Glendale, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) - Brenden Dillons first goal of the season came in the third period and gave the San Jose Sharks a 3-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes. Joe Pavelski and Tomas Hertl each had a goal for the Sharks, who had lost their previous two. Antti Niemi stopped 27 shots in the win. Shane Doan and Mikkel Boedker each scored for the Coyotes, who have dropped three of four. Devan Dubnyk gave up all three goals on 25 shots. ' ' '