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Ducks look to increase lead in Pacific Division

Mar 9, 2007 - 3:18 PM Edmonton (30-31-6) at Anaheim (40-17-11) 10:00 pm EST

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Anaheim Ducks look to increase their lead in the Pacific Division on Friday when they host the struggling Edmonton Oilers.

Anaheim has 91 points, a comfortable nine-point advantage over San Jose. Dallas is 10 points back in the division.

However, the Ducks will have to make due without All-Star defenseman Chris Pronger, who is sidelined for at least two weeks with a broken toe. The former Norris and Hart Trophy winner suffered the injury in a postgame workout earlier this week.

Without Pronger in the lineup, the Ducks extended their winning streak to three games with a 2-1 victory over Phoenix on Wednesday. Defenseman Ric Jackman and Joe DiPenta scored while Jean-Sebastien Giguere made 24 saves for his fourth consecutive victory.

The defending Western Conference champion Oilers are in serious trouble, 13 points out of the final playoff spot.

Edmonton's losing streak reached a season-high five games Wednesday with a 3-1 setback to Tampa Bay. Ladislav Smid scored the only gaol for the Oilers, who have tallied just four times in their skid.