MONTREAL — The Ducks have talked endlessly about working harder, about staying connected, about playing the right way, about staying upbeat and positive and not succumbing to the emotional downturn that’s coincided with 16 defeats in 18 games before they faced the Canadiens on Tuesday at Bell Centre.

They’ve spoken repeatedly about playing for each other, about picking up each other, about letting go of what’s happened and looking to better days ahead. They’ve insisted that advancing to the playoffs remains a goal and, well, they’re not wrong because they’re still within striking distance.

They have issues, however.

“There’s nobody in our locker room that’s not trying,” left wing Rickard Rakell said. “We’re working really hard and it feels like that’s the only thing we’re doing. We’re working really hard and we really want to do the right things, but our head is really not in the game.

“You’re doing everything you can to work hard and try to be a good team player, but it’s not working. It’s really tough for us. We’re going through this every day. It’s not only in games, it’s in practice, too. We’re working hard and trying to figure out a way how to get out of this mess.

“It’s just really tough. You’re trying to regroup and have a really good game. Like, (Monday in Toronto against the Maple Leafs), we have a good feeling we’re going to play really well and I sit here after the game and it’s 6-1, and last game 9-3. It (stinks). It’s awful.”

Clearly, the Ducks’ swagger is gone.

“We’re trying to work as a group to get ourselves out of this, but as of now, we really could use some confidence,” Rakell said. “You get the feeling every time you step on the ice you’re trying not to get scored on. You want to be a difference maker and create scoring chances, but that’s not the case.

“Maybe one or two guys are doing it every shift, but three other guys are scared to play.”

Defenseman Josh Manson agreed with some but not all of Rakell’s assessment.

“You try not to let that sink into your head, like, here we go again,” Manson said. “You want to bounce back. Your character is tested when you’re up against adversity. That’s exactly what’s happening here. It’s not entering my mind that here we go again.

“I have confidence in this team. I’ve seen what this team has done before. So, I don’t think it’s a matter of here we go again. If that’s happening, then we’ve got to figure it out because that not an attitude any man in here should have.”

Manson said he didn’t believe the Ducks have given up on their season.

“I don’t think that should ever happen,” he said. “If guys are checking out, that’s not the right attitude to have, for sure. I don’t know what to say. I don’t know how you handle guys checking out. It just shouldn’t happen.

“Guys should be buying in for the whole year. The way guys respond when the chips are down is going to show a lot of every single guy’s character. I thought for two periods and eight minutes we were going in the right direction.” Related Articles NHL, players unveil series of anti-racism initiatives

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SILFVERBERG UPDATE

General Manager Bob Murray said last month he would make a priority of signing right wing Jakob Silfverberg to a contract extension sooner than later. Talks are believed to be ongoing and the sides are drawing closer to an agreement, but an announcement isn’t imminent.

If the Ducks and Silfverberg can’t agree on a new multi-season deal by the NHL’s trade deadline Feb. 25, then it’s likely Silfverberg could be dealt. He can become an unrestricted free agent July 1, and Murray could risk letting him get away with nothing in return.