THE WEEK AHEAD

MIGHTY DUCKS: 4 GAMES

Wednesday at Carolina, 4:30 p.m. PST -- A peek at the future for the Ducks? They certainly hope not. Carolina went from Stanley Cup finalist to missing the playoffs in one season. Carolina, though, is one of two teams that have scored fewer goals than the Ducks.

Friday at Buffalo, 5 p.m., PST. -- Last time the Ducks played Buffalo, the Sabres scored four third-period goals in a 5-2 victory. Not likely to find that on the Ducks’ highlight DVD.

Saturday at Detroit, 4:30 p.m., Channel 9, ESPN 2 -- Pavel Datsyuk has 20 goals and 42 points, which has Red Wing fans going, Sergei? Sergei who? Sergei Fedorov, meanwhile, has 12 goals, two less than Detroit’s Kris Draper.

Monday vs. Dallas, 7:30 p.m., Fox Sports Net 2 -- Two preseason favorites in the race for the Pacific Division title. The Stars do seem to be getting their act together. Mike Modano has picked up the pace offensively although he is still not the offensive threat he usually is.

-- Chris Foster