MIGHTY DUCKS NOTEBOOK: BRUSHED UP ON BRODEUR.

Byline: Brice Nixon Staff Writer

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur will no doubt be a tough challenge for the Mighty Ducks in the Stanley Cup Finals. They've had plenty of practice with one facet of his game, though.

Brodeur is one of the best stickhandling goaltenders in the NHL, but so is Dallas Stars goalie Marty Turco. The Ducks eliminated Turco and the Stars in six games in the second round. Having faced a goalie who likes to handle the puck and having come away successful should benefit the Ducks when they face Brodeur, said Ducks right wing Petr Sykora, who played with Brodeur on the Devils for seven seasons.

``We know how to play him,'' Sykora said. ``It's going to be a pretty good challenge for us.''

--Sharing credit: Ducks first-year coach Mike Babcock has been asked repeatedly about leading the Ducks to their best regular season ever and helping to turn them into Stanley Cup finalists, so much so he's made a point to talk instead about assistant coaches Paul MacLean and Lorne Henning and scouting and video coordinator Greg Carvel.

``If we're looking for a story line, that's a good one,'' Babcock said.

Henning is in charge of the team's penalty killing, MacLean is in charge of the power play. This is Carvel's first season with the additional task of video coach. Before making most decisions, Babcock said he consults with his assistants.

Henning won three Stanley Cups with the New York Islanders, one as a player. MacLean scored 673 points in 719 games over 11 seasons in the NHL.

``You draw on the experiences of Lorne and Paul and Frank. And then you decide how you're going to approach things,'' Babcock said.