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(SportsNetwork.com) - The Anaheim Ducks havent faced much adversity this season, but the Pacific Division leaders will try to avoid losing four straight games for only the second time this season when they visit the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. It wasnt that long ago when the Ducks appeared poised to run away with the division title but the club has fallen on hard times of late. Anaheim has lost three straight and six of its last nine games and Bruce Boudreaus team is a pedestrian 7-7-2 over its last 16 games. The malaise has helped San Jose force its way into the Pacific title conversation. After winning for the eighth time in 11 games on Tuesday, the Sharks are just two points in back of Anaheim for first place. The Ducks are also two points behind St. Louis for the NHL lead. Anaheim has managed to gain two points during its current 0-1-2 slide, but the club came up empty in Mondays 3-1 home loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Phil Kessel and Tyler Bozak each registered a goal and two assists to lead Toronto to the victory in Leafs head coach Randy Carlyles return to Anaheim. Carlyle, of course, led the Ducks to their only Stanley Cup title in 2007. He served as Anaheims head coach for six-plus seasons before getting fired on Nov. 31, 2011 and replaced by Boudreau. Corey Perry scored the lone Ducks goal, while Frederik Andersen stopped 20 shots in the loss. "We had our fair chances, but we just couldnt capitalize on them," said Anaheim defenseman Francois Beauchemin. "I thought we played a decent game. We didnt get the result we wanted, but we had lots of chances offensively." The Ducks hope they can get back on track during a road-heavy portion of their schedule over the next few weeks. Anaheim, which has won three straight on the road and is 19-9-3 as the guest this season, kicks off a three-game trip tonight and will play seven of their next nine away from Orange County. Anaheim has claimed the first two of four meetings against the Flames this season and has won four of five and 10 of the past 13 encounters in this series. Calgary, however, has beaten the Ducks in three of the last four meetings at the Saddledome. The Flames, who are 17 points out of a playoff spot in the West, have lost two in a row. Calgary was last in action on Monday when it dropped a 3-2 decision to the visiting Los Angeles Kings. Calgary was down 3-0 with just under 13 minutes left in regulation, but made a valiant comeback effort behind goals from Mike Cammalleri and Brian McGrattan. In the end, however, the Flames were unable to get the equalizer and lost for the third time in five games. "Its unfortunate because I felt that defensively we did lots of good things, but we gave two goals off of tips in front and that ends up being the difference," said Calgary head coach Bob Hartley. "But once again we never quit. We pushed and we pushed and we made a decent come back." Joni Ortio made 20 saves in the loss and he could get another start in net tonight. The 22-year-old rookie has never faced the Ducks. Hiller expects to get the start for Anaheim. He is 5-4-1 with a 2.77 goals against average and .905 save percentage in 10 career games against the Flames. Calgary forward Markus Granlund is questionable for Wednesdays game with an upper-body injury suffered in the loss to the Kings. Defenseman Luca Sbisa is also questionable for Anaheim after sitting out Mondays game with a lower-body injury. Pedro Strop Cubs Jersey . Almost 40 years to the day, the two teams will meet again, this time at BC Place, to celebrate the past and try to earn important points for the present. Mark Grace Cubs Jersey . - Chelseas 1-0 win at the Etihad, spoiling Manchester Citys perfect home record continues to be the talking point of the week. https://www.cheapcubs.com/2160t-robel-garcia-jersey-cubs.html .com) - Longtime Senators star Daniel Alfredsson returned to Ottawa on Thursday to officially announce his retirement. Greg Maddux Cubs Jersey . Buffalos defensive co-ordinator had his second interview with Cleveland owner Jimmy Haslam and CEO Joe Banner on Tuesday night, a person familiar with the Browns plans told The Associated Press. Derek Holland Jersey .com) - James van Riemsdyk had two goals with one assist to help the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 5-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night.SAN ANTONIO -- The San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers have vastly different reasons to be glad the regular season is over. San Antonio can focus on possible redemption after losing a heartbreaking seven-game series to the Miami Heat in the NBA finals. Los Angeles can salve its wounds and begin regrouping after an abysmal season for the storied franchise. Jordan Hill had 18 points and 14 rebounds and the Lakers closed their worst season since they moved to Los Angeles with a 113-100 victory over the Spurs on Wednesday night. "At this point were just happy we got our win," Lakers centre Robert Sacre said. "Im going to miss a lot of guys, whoever comes back or if Im not here, who knows." Kawhi Leonard had 14 points to lead San Antonio, which will make its 17th straight post-season appearance after clinching the Wests top seed for the third time in four years. "Were impressed, but it doesnt matter," Leonard said. "Were trying to win a championship. Were the No. 1 seed, but the playoffs are coming up. (The regular season is) behind us." The Spurs open the playoffs Sunday against the Dallas, which lost 106-105 in overtime to Memphis on Wednesday. The post-season preparation began as soon as the game ended, with San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich rushing through a 15-second interview to catch the end of the Grizzlies-Mavericks game. "We had a good regular season and now the post-season," Popovich said. "It starts at noon on Sunday; and well see who it is. Two teams that are playing right now, so Im going to go watch them. You guys take care." San Antonio (62-19) had an opportunity to match its best record, but no Spurs played more than 27 minutes to rest in preparation for defence of their conference title. Austin Daye had 13 points in 14 minutes and Tiago Splitter, Tony Parker and Cory Joseph had 12 points apiece. Spurs veterans Tim Duncan and Marco Belinelli both sat out the game for rest. After a rash of injuries early, the Spurs are healthy heading into the post-season, unlike last year when Parker and Manu Ginobili were battling injuries. "Well of course, last year it was tough," Giinobili said.dddddddddddd"I missed the last two weeks of the competition, I think, before the first game of the playoffs. It was an awkward end of the season. This year, Im much better. The whole team is in a much better situation. It doesnt mean anything. Its just what it is." Los Angeles (27-55) battled injuries throughout this season, losing franchise cornerstone Kobe Bryant (fractured left knee) early in the season and suffering through injuries to Steve Nash, Pau Gasol and many others. The Lakers are expected to look dramatically different next season after finishing with their worst record since moving to Los Angeles. Coach Mike DAntoni and Gasol are among those whose futures with the team are in question after the Lakers missed the post-season for just the third time since 1977. When asked if he was glad this season was over, DAntoni admitted he was. "To a certain extent," DAntoni said. "Still, its about relationships and coaching and how you bond together, you hate that comes to an end." The Lakers closed with a flourish by this seasons standards, winning their final two games. "Thats just been us all year," Young said, "not to give up or go through the motions. We try to go out there and play our hearts out and get a victory. Instead of losing tonight, we felt we wanted to win and it does feel better." Young scored 16 points and Kendall Marshall added 15 points. San Antonio was listless throughout much of the game, but its 9-for-28 start had more to do with missing open shots than Los Angeles defence. The Spurs were 10 for 29 on 3s, having numerous shots bound off the side of the rim. Hill flourished with Duncan out of the lineup, dunking twice and having a tip follow while going 3 for 5 to open the game. NOTES: Duncan missed seven games this season with all but one for rest. The exception was when he sat out the teams second game of the season, a victory over the Lakers on Nov. 1, with a bruised chest. ... Nash (nerve root irritation) worked out before the game, but did not play. ... San Antonio Stars guard Kayla McBride, the No. 3 overall pick in Tuesdays WNBA draft, was introduced during the opening quarter. ' ' '