Lupul’s four goals put Ducks on doorstep

Even though Ilya Bryzgalov wasn’t impeccable, the Anaheim Mighty Ducks remained perfect thanks to Joffrey Lupul’s four goals Tuesday night.

Lupul’s three goals in regulation and one in overtime gave the Ducks a 4-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche at Denver and a 3-0 lead in their Western Conference playoff series.

Bryzgalov’s shutout streak ended at three games, but the Ducks are still a win away from advancing to the conference finals.

The Ducks can complete the sweep Thursday night at the Pepsi Center. The Avalanche will try to join the 1975 New York Islanders and the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs as the only teams to win a series after losing the first three games.

Colorado had won its last six playoff overtime games, tops in the NHL and a franchise record, including three over Dallas in the first round of this year’s playoffs.

After both teams killed a power play in the extra period, Dustin Penner stole the puck from Patrice Brisebois in the Colorado zone and fed Lupul, who added to his first career hat trick with a shot from between the circles that beat Avs goaltender Jose Theodore at 16:30 of overtime.

Off the ice

Philadelphia left wing Simon Gagne will have surgery on his right hip and bone spurs removed today and need about eight weeks of rehabilitation. Gagne led the Flyers this year with 47 goals and 79 points. … New York Rangers defenseman Darius Kasparaitis, 33, will have shoulder surgery today and is expected to make a full recovery in time for next season. Kasparaitis played in 67 games this season, leading the team in penalty minutes.