ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Although the Anaheim Ducks are running short on chances to prove theyre more than just a regular-season power, they didnt seem daunted before they headed out on a 30-mile road trip that could define their year. After the best regular season in franchise history, the Ducks have lost four of their past six playoff games heading into a critical Game 3 at Los Angeles on Thursday night. Its barely a slump, and it includes a near-victory that got away with 7 seconds left in regulation in the second-round opener. Yet the Ducks realize what hangs on their latest trip to Staples Center, and theyre comfortable with the risk. "The belief and the confidence in this group is pretty high," Anaheim defenceman Cam Fowler said. "We know that a lot of people are counting us out right now, but that only fuels us." During their best stretches of that remarkable regular season, the Ducks were a dominant offensive team, finishing second in the NHL with 266 goals. With Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry leading the way, Anaheim got consistent scoring from all four lines and methodically broke down almost any defensive team -- including the Kings, who beat the Ducks just once in five tries during the regular season. In the playoffs, Anaheim has managed just three goals against Jonathan Quick in two home losses. The Kings puck-possession style and mistake-free play in their own end are remarkable at times, and even the Ducks appreciated it while spending the past two days figuring out ways to counter it. "They certainly know how to win," Fowler said. "Their style translates well to playoff hockey. Very structured, no mistakes, and make the other team beat you. "Theyve done it before, and when Quick starts playing like he is now, thats when they become a hard team to beat. Theyre certainly peaking at the right time, and we know what were up against, but we have a belief in our group that we can do it." The Ducks have made some unique travel arrangements for the nominal road portion of this series. After Wednesdays practice, they took a bus to a hotel across the street from Staples Center. Theyre staying downtown until Game 4 on Saturday, but theyll also take the bus back to Anaheim for practice on Friday. With just three goals in more than six playoff periods against the Kings, Anaheim might attempt to boost its offence by putting Kyle Palmieri back into the lineup. The goal-scoring wing, a healthy scratch in the Ducks past four games, skated alongside Nick Bonino and Devante Smith-Pelly at practice Wednesday. Palmieri scored a career-best 14 goals in the regular season, and he had five points in last seasons first-round series loss to Detroit. The Kings are up 2-0 in a playoff series for the sixth time in the past three seasons, reaching that mark as the road team an incredible five times. They led all four series 3-0 despite opening on the road each time during their 2012 rampage through the post-season to their first Stanley Cup title. The Kings also were down 0-3 in the first round last month against San Jose, which means they realize theyre only nominally in control of this series. "A 2-0 lead is great, but its not four. We know that better than anybody," Kings centre Jarret Stoll said. "Theyve outchanced us. Theyve beaten us in a lot of areas we need to be better at." The Kings are likely to be without injured defencemen Willie Mitchell and Robyn Regehr again in Game 3, but Matt Greene and Jeff Schultz have filled in splendidly so far. Even with Quick on top of his game, the Ducks are confident they can get back in the series by getting more pucks past him. They hope to have the support of travelling Anaheim fans after the Kings had a boisterous cheering section at Honda Center, too. "We played pretty well in the first two games, and we remind ourselves of that," Anaheim goalie Jonas Hiller said. "I dont think many things need to change. We just need to keep our confidence." Grant Fuhr Oilers Jersey . What they did need, the Devils got from Patrik Elias. Elias scored a power-play goal 40 seconds into overtime to give the New Jersey Devils a 3-2 victory over the Dallas Stars. Edmonton Oilers Jerseys .A. Dickey, even though he was coming off a Cy Young Award in 2012. Many felt the Jays would regret giving up righthanded pitcher prospect Noah Syndergaard and catcher Travis DArnaud over the long haul. http://www.hockeyoilersshop.com/connor-mcdavid-jersey/ . - Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II says the NFL has told the team it will not be docked a pick in this years draft for coach Mike Tomlins foray onto the field against Baltimore last November. Leon Draisaitl Jersey . -- Andy Granatelli, the former CEO of STP motor oil company who made a mark on motorsports as a car owner, innovator and entrepreneur, has died. Alex Chiasson Oilers Jersey . Lawrie was hit on the hand by Cincinnati pitcher Johnny Cueto in the second inning of Sundays 4-3 loss to the Reds.ROME -- Key defender Giorgio Chiellini was included in Italys preliminary 30-man World Cup squad Tuesday, ending doubts that he might face a code of ethics punishment for his three-match ban with Juventus. United States-born forward Giuseppe Rossi also made it, having just returned from a four-month layoff due to a right knee injury. Among those who missed the cut were forwards Alberto Gilardino and Pablo Osvaldo, Sunderland winger Emanuele Giaccherini, attacking midfielder Alessandro Diamanti, who recently joined Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande, and Zenit St. Petersburg fullback Domenico Criscito. The forwards included are Mario Balotelli, Antonio Cassano, Alessio Cerci, Mattia Destro, Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne and Rossi. On Monday, Chiellini was banned by the Serie A judge for elbowing Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic in Juventus 1-0 win Sunday. But Italy coach Cesare Prandelli apparently viewed the incident as not having any intent of violence. Last month, Roma forward Destro was left off the squad for fitness tests while he served a three-match ban for punching an opponent, and several other players have missed matches due to similar code of ethics violations. Prandellis latest squad announcement was made with a press release by the Italian football federation -- with no comments attached. Also left out was 17-year-old Udinese goalkeeper Simone Scuffet, hailed as the next Gianluigi Buffon. Torinos 24-year-old fullback Matteo Darmian was a surprise inclusion. Parmaa goalkeeper Antonio Mirante was left off the 30-man list but was called up to train with the squad in case of an injury to the three goalkeepers selected -- captain Gianluigi Buffon, Salvatore Sirigu and Mattia Perin.dddddddddddd Its Buffons ninth call up to a major international tournament, moving him level with former Germany great Lothar Matthaus as the top Europeans -- and it would have been 10 if Buffon hadnt been injured for the 2000 European Championship. Four-time champion Italy is in Group D with England, Uruguay and Costa Rica. Final 23-man squads are due June 2. ------ Italy: Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Mattia Perin (Genoa), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain). Defenders: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Torino), Mattia De Sciglio (AC Milan), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Gabriel Paletta (Parma), Manuel Pasqual (Fiorentina), Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan). Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani (Fiorentina), Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (AC Milan), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint-Germain), Marco Parolo (Parma), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Romulo (Hellas Verona), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain). Forwards: Mario Balotelli (AC Milan), Antonio Cassano (Parma), Alessio Cerci (Torino), Mattia Destro (Roma), Ciro Immobile (Torino), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Giuseppe Rossi (Fiorentina). ' ' '