ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Even coach Bruce Boudreau acknowledged the Anaheim Ducks played perhaps their most dynamic hockey of the season early in their 5-3 win over Carolina on Sunday night. The Hurricanes were suitably impressed, but they didnt stand a chance when the NHLs best were playing their best. Corey Perry had two goals and an assist in the first period, Andrew Cogliano scored a short-handed goal, and the Ducks jumped to an early 5-0 lead in their second straight victory out of the Olympic break. Frederik Andersen made 49 saves in his first action since Feb. 3 for the league-leading Ducks, who scored three times in an overwhelming first period filled with sharp passes, relentless skating and outstanding finishes. "We were as good as we can be," said Boudreau, who won his 100th game in Anaheim. Francois Beauchemin and Jakob Silfverberg also scored as the Ducks won their NHL-best 43rd game and stayed five points ahead of Chicago and St. Louis in the overall league standings. Anaheim coasted late in its third consecutive win overall, giving Boudreau plenty of fuel for practice even while he complimented his team on its start. The first 30 minutes were a beauty: Perry got his 31st and 32nd goals during his sixth multigoal game of the season, while Cogliano set a new career high with the 19th goal of his breakout season. "If we play like that all the time, well be tough to beat for anybody," Cogliano said. "I think we played really fast, moving the puck really well." Andersen was solid while earning his sixth win in his last seven starts, but the Danish goalie could be headed back to the AHL after the game. Viktor Fasth, who has been out since Nov. 18 with muscle inflammation, is due to return to Anaheim as Jonas Hillers backup. "If we play like that, were as good as anyone," Andersen said of the first period. "Weve just got to figure out a way to play like that for a whole game." Alexander Semin, Andrej Sekera and Patrick Dwyer scored in Carolinas fifth straight loss overall and its fourth in six days since the break. Cam Ward stopped 29 shots in just his second start of 2014, and the Hurricanes followed up Saturdays 3-1 loss at Los Angeles with another disappointing effort. "You take the little positives that you can out of it," Hurricanes defenceman John-Michael Liles said. "We did put a lot of shots at their goalie, and he made some good saves. Ultimately, getting down early against a good team is tough, and it was a tough battle to get back. But were moving the puck well and were getting opportunities. Thats the biggest thing. We just got snake-bit." Indeed, Carolina put up 26 shots and scored twice in the third period, but went scoreless on six power plays to drop into an 0-for-21 slump. The Hurricanes conclude their five-game road trip out of the break Tuesday in San Jose. "Weve been pretty sound defensively," Carolina coach Kirk Muller said. "We just havent been scoring goals. Tonight we made a couple of mistakes early in the first, and they capitalized. They have some good players." Perry put the Ducks ahead 6:39 in, punching in a loose puck after the Canes defence came unglued during a shift by Anaheims dominant top line. Beauchemin scored later in the period on a slap shot that deflected off Jiri Tlustys stick, and Perry got his second goal 1:48 later with a nasty wrist shot. Cogliano scored during a horrible Carolina power play early in the second period, beating Ward between the goalies legs to set his new career high for goals with 20 games still to play. Shortly after Carolina got a bench minor for too many men on the ice during a power play, Silfverberg dug the puck off the netting and scored his first goal since Jan. 15. Carolina avoided the shutout late in the second period when Sekera scored in his second straight game. Dwyer added his first goal since Jan. 9 in the third period. NOTES: Semin returned from a one-game injury absence, but Carolina lost U.S. national team defenceman Justin Faulk to an upper-body injury early in the game. Muller had no update afterward. ... Anaheim F Tim Jackman was scratched a day after signing a contract extension for next season. C Mathieu Perreault also was scratched after getting hurt in the third period Friday against St. Louis. ... Cogliano has eight short-handed goals in his career and three this season. Curtis Samuel Jersey . Kadri was dressed in a green jersey at Thursdays practice and skated as an extra forward on the teams fourth line as the Leafs. Greg Olsen Womens Jersey . Viewers in the Canadiens region can watch the game on TSN Habs at 7:30pm et/8:30pm at. http://www.shoppanthersonline.us/panthers-christian-mccaffrey-blue-jersey/ . The question all fans want to know heading into this light heavyweight affair is will Rua display his true potential. Working with UFC welterweight fighter Demian Maias team in Sao Paulo Brazil and having training partners such as fellow UFC stand outs Fabio Maldonado and Daniel Sarafian, the 32-year old feels very well prepared for Friday nights encounter. Luke Kuechly Jersey . James Erskine said Tuesday that Thorpe was "quite sick" in a Sydney hospital but dismissed media reports the swimmer might lose the use of his left arm. "Hes not in the intensive care," Erskine said. Greg Olsen Jersey . "Yeah, [I heard them]," he said. "They made me miss the free throw." A year ago, Lowrys post-game antics may not have been so well received but what was snide and snarky is now endearing quick wit.BEREA, Ohio - On any given day, Josh Gordons size, speed and agility separates him from others on the field. Hes that rare talent, the player everyone notices. Hes standing out for another reason. Gordon is awaiting another possible NFL suspension for reportedly failing a drug test, a violation that could cost the Pro Bowl wide receiver a full season. But while his future remains cloudy, Clevelands young star is doing all he can to improve his dazzling skills. After gliding over the middle on Tuesday, Gordon leaped to snag a pass before tucking the ball away and sprinting from a defender. If hes burdened, Gordons hiding it well. "Hes showing up every day as the No. 1 receiver, hes not showing up as a guy whos uncertain about his future," said wide receiver Nate Burleson. "Thats all he can do right now, is go to work as if hes our No. 1 because he is." Arguably Clevelands best player, Gordon could be facing a lengthy suspension for marijuana use. The 23-year-old was suspended two games last season for violating the leagues substance-abuse policy and still led the league in yards receiving. The league has not commented on Gordons status. He complicated his situation last week when he was ticketed for speeding and a passenger in his car was cited for marijuana possession. Gordon is scheduled to appear in Berea Municipal Court on Wednesday. Browns first-year coach Mike Pettine believes the uncertainty is weighing on Gordon. It has to be. "I cant imagine that it wouldnt," Pettine said. "It would be human nature." Gordon politely declined an interview request. He entered the league with a history of substance-abuse issues. Gordon is known to have failed at least three drug tests in college, but the Browns were willing to overlook his past when they selected him in the second round of the supplemental draft in 2012. His risky behaviour has jeopardized his career, but the Browns insist they will stick by him. Pettine acknowledged some frustration in not knowing Gordons status. "Until we hear from the league, were going to be business as usual," he said. "At this point, there is nothing to act on. Everyone can sense the frustration, and its a difficult thing. But until it happens, we have a plan in place for all eventualities but were still in a holding pattern." While the Browns wait, Pettinne said Gordon has not let the uncertainty affect his performance.dddddddddddd "He comes out and works hard, puts in a days work, solid in the classroom," Pettine said. "When hes in the building, hes been solid. Its not the first guy in the league to be like that where when hes in the building hes great and has some issues, for whatever reason due to circumstances, when hes out of the building. Im not a stranger to situations like that." The Browns signed Burleson, a 12-year veteran, as a free agent to provide leadership to Clevelands group of young receivers. Burleson hasnt spoken with Gordon specifically about his situation, but has been providing any support he can. "I just do the same thing I was doing before the news came out," Burleson said. "Help motivate him, him and the other guys. Im here as a guy who, one, can show young guys how to be a professional athlete on and off the field and two, try to motivate them in different ways. "Hes so gifted and so talented that its hard to coach greatness. Its hard to motivate greatness." Burleson played with Randy Moss in Minnesota and Calvin Johnson in Detroit. He knows what a superstar wide receiver looks like and believes Gordon has what it takes to be one of the best. Like everyone associated with the Browns, Burleson is eager for a positive outcome for Gordon. "That type of talent you want on the field, whether its at practice or game day," Burleson. "You only get so many guys every few years that redefine the position and hes one of those guys. Hes not your traditional receiver. Theres Calvin and theres Randy, these guys were hit with that special stick and God blessed them with attributes you can only create in video games. "For him to miss any time, its a loss for everybody in general, fans especially. The hope is that hes on the field." Pettine believes the Browns have a good support system in place to help Gordon, and the league has been proactive in helping troubled players. However, theres a shared responsibility. "There has to be a willingness on the other side," he said. "Sometimes they get the message and its too late. In all my time in the league, theres always going to be a handful of guys that just dont get it." ___ AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '