Forget about the Ducks' being defending Stanley Cup champions. Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle has - or at least that's his story as Anaheim prepares to open its Cup defence.
"I can't remember last year," Carlyle said Wednesday. "Every year your team is different. The reference to last year is old news. We're trying to create an identity for ourselves now.
"We've got a playoff series against a very difficult opponent, an opponent that has given us a lot of trouble over the course of the season."
The Ducks, trying to become the first team to repeat as NHL champions since Detroit in 1997-98, begin the playoffs against the Dallas Stars on Thursday night in Anaheim.
The Stars won five of eight against Anaheim during the regular season and got a shootout point in one of the losses. They outscored the Ducks 24-15.
"They've got a good offence and they can score some big goals," Anaheim goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere said. "They're going to be dangerous on the power play, so we've got to not take too many penalties and not give them too many chances on the power play."
The Hockey News: Headlines: Defending Stanley Cup champion Ducks open playoffs against Stars
Defending Stanley Cup champion Ducks open playoffs against Stars
Defending Stanley Cup champion Ducks open playoffs against Stars 
