DEVILS INSIDE LOOK: IN OT, ANAHEIM OUT OF REACH DEVILS OUT OF LUCK WHEN TIME RUNS OUT.

Byline: A.J. Perez Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - Probably not by design, but the Mighty Ducks have stumbled upon the same formula that has worked for other teams facing the New Jersey Devils in the playoffs - force an extra period.

The Devils fell to 0-4 in the playoffs when the game has reached overtime, which just so happens to be when the Ducks have played their best hockey. The Ducks 1-0 victory Monday boosted their postseason record in overtime games to 7-0.

``You've got to forget about it,'' Devils coach Pat Burns said. ``They're a hot team in overtime. They're confident in overtime. We knew that and we tried to change that invincibility thing.''

But the Devils - like in Game 3 - weren't successful.

After losing the opening faceoff of OT, the Ducks needed only 39 seconds to break the scoreless tie. Devils goalie Martin Brodeur made a spectacular kick save with his left pad on a shot by Samuel Pahlsson, but Steve Thomas gathered the rebound before wristing it in for the game-winner.

``If we played terrible, got blown out, it would be a little tougher to take,'' New Jersey defenseman and captain Scott Stevens said. ``I thought we played much better today than we did in the third game. We've got to stay positive.''

The Ducks' victory turns the Finals into a best-of-3 series, and that's fine with the Devils since Game 5 and a possible Game 7 will be in New Jersey. The home team has won every game this series, making it the first time since 1978 that has occurred through the first four games.

``We have to get back playing like we had been (at home),'' New Jersey Devils defenseman Scott Niedermayer said. ``We have two days to prepare and think about playing better.''

Faceoffs were again problematic for the Devils, as they won just 37 percent. For the series, the Devils have won 31 percent of the draws.

``For whatever reason, it's something we need to improve on,'' Devils center Scott Gomez said. ``When you win faceoffs, you get the puck. That's no secret. We need to get a little better at it.''

As if keeping the Ducks out of overtime, away from the Pond and winning faceoffs aren't enough to think about, the Devils always will be aware of the occasional bad bounce.

The Devils found out in Games 3 and 4 in Anaheim that the puck doesn't always have to be shot near the net to go in. The Ducks best scoring chance in regulation came on a dump in by Ruslan Salei 4:27 into the third period.

On its trip around the boards, the puck hit the Zamboni door and headed straight for the crease. Brodeur reached down to pick it up with his glove when the puck made another deviation - straight up.

The puck ricocheted off the heal of Brodeur's mitt, which sent it toward the back of the net. This time Brodeur - who gave up a goal in Game 3 after misplaying another dump in - was able to reach out with his stick and gather it in before it crossed the goal line.

``It's such a bad rink for bounces,'' Brodeur said.

Especially when you're in a Devils' jersey.

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Photo:

New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur reaches for a Ducks shot that hit the goal post in the second period of Game 4.

Kevork Djansezian/Associated Press