In the first of five straight games on the road, the Ducks take on the Penguins tonight at Mellon Arena.

The Ducks hope to rebound from a disappointing 4-3 loss to Detroit on Wednesday. Ryan Getzlaf had a goal and two assists in that contest, but it wasn't enough as the Red Wings scored twice in a 35-second span in the third period.

Prior to that loss, Anaheim (22-18-5) had won all 14 games in which it owned the lead after the first 40 minutes.

"We just found a way to lose," said Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who made 29 saves. "Teams that play with confidence, they find a way to win. I think the Red Wings did that. We don't always do that. It's going to be up to us, the veterans especially, to step up and create something here."

Giguere can start with a solid effort versus the Penguins, against whom he has a 1.50 goals-against average in winning three of four career starts.

Anaheim has won seven of its last 10 versus Pittsburgh with all three losses coming on the road, including 5-4 on Oct. 6, 2007 in the teams' most recent matchup.

The Ducks, opening a five-game road trip, are 2-6-1 away from home since the start of December.

The past few weeks have already been difficult for the Pittsburgh Penguins. A growing injury list that now includes captain Sidney Crosby doesn't figure to help them escape their rut.

With Crosby listed as questionable, the Penguins continue a five-game homestand Friday night with a matchup against the Ducks.

Defending Eastern Conference champion Pittsburgh (21-20-4) allowed Washington to score four times in the final 20 minutes of a 6-3 loss on Wednesday night to fall for the sixth time in its last seven home games.

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Getzlaf in Breakaway Challenge   Photos: Ducks Casino Night

The Penguins, who won 4-2 at Atlantic Division rival Philadelphia Tuesday, are 6-14-0 since Dec. 6 and have lost eight of their last 10 overall.

"(Tuesday's game) felt easy. It felt like things were natural and that we didn't have to work that hard to be successful, and when you're playing the right way, that's how it feels," winger Matt Cooke said. "Wednesday night, it felt like no matter how hard we worked, it just wasn't there."

Adding to the disappointment of the defeat was the loss of Crosby, who contributed two assists before being hurt late in the game following a collision with Capitals center David Steckel along the boards.

The fourth-year star underwent an MRI exam and sat out Thursday's optional practice with a lower-body injury - possibly to his left knee - but his status won't be decided until Friday morning. He missed 28 games last season with an ankle problem.

Along with Crosby, defenseman Rob Scuderi (face) and forward Maxime Talbot (undisclosed) were hurt Wednesday. All three are listed as day-to-day.

Considering the Penguins are already dealing with injuries to four other players, coach Michel Therrien expects his club to take these setbacks in stride.

"We face adversity and it seems to be like that since the beginning of the year," he said. "We can't feel sorry about ourselves."