LONDON — After a whirlwind week in London, where the Anaheim Ducks paradedthe Stanley Cup and played back-to-back games against the Los Angeles Kings, thedefending champions aren’t exactly getting a rest.

Next up: a road game on Wednesday in Detroit. On paper that’s a much tougherchallenge than playing the Kings on neutral ground. Plus the Ducks must againdeal with a trans-Atlantic trip and the jet lag that comes with it.

Meanwhile, the perennial preseason favorite Red Wings are eager to avengetheir Western Conference finals loss to Anaheim.

“It’s their home opener, so it’s gonna be pretty difficult,” Ducks captainChris Pronger said. “We’re pretty well adjusted now (to London time). And nowyou have to readjust the other way. We’re gonna get in, I think, at three in themorning today. I don’t know if guys are gonna be able to sleep.”

It’s not much of a honeymoon for the defending champions, who continue theirroad trip with games at Columbus and Pittsburgh, Friday and Saturday.

The Ducks lost Saturday’s game 4-1 after allowing three power-play goals,but bounced back with a convincing 4-1 win on Sunday before heading straight tothe airport.

Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said it was up to the coaching staff to make surethe players have time to recover for the Detroit game. Monday will be a rest dayfor the Ducks, followed by a team dinner in the evening.

“We competed hard in both hockey games, so we’ve got some wear and tear inour bodies,” Carlyle said. “But our mental focus was good.”

While his team may be tired on Wednesday, finding enough adrenaline againstDetroit should not be a problem.

“We should be able to put a good effort forth, and make sure we’reprepared, because we know Detroit is oozing to get back at us,” Ponger said.

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