LA Times;

Young players are falling in line
By Eric Stephens, Times Staff Writer
March 11, 2007



Back in business
click to enlargeSix games ago, Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle decided to give the kids another shot and this time it might work.

Second-year forwards Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry had been on the same line all season but rookie Dustin Penner had been a rare occupant on the left side until Carlyle put them together for a Feb. 27 game at San Jose.

Penner scored twice in an important victory over the Sharks and the young winger has clicked with his linemates. The trio had their best game as a unit Friday night, combining for four goals and six points in the Ducks' 5-1 victory over Edmonton.

Perry said the three have begun to recreate some of the chemistry they had playing together with the Portland Pirates, the Ducks' American Hockey League team in Maine.

"When you practice with three guys on a regular basis, it's always an added bonus," he said. "You get to know where everybody is going to be on the ice."

Penner, who has six goals in the last six games, is second on the team with 25 goals, Getzlaf is third with 23 and Perry has chipped in 15. They've given opponents a bona fide second line to worry about besides the Teemu Selanne-Andy McDonald-Chris Kunitz trio.

Scott Niedermayer said the youngsters' continued production takes some pressure off the top line and their development will be key for the postseason.

"Your goal is to be in there for a while," Niedermayer said. "It's tough for one group of players to carry the load the whole way. You need different lines to step up at different times.

"They're a line that's carrying the load for us for this little while."

Getzlaf acknowledged they have to play with some consistency to stay together.

"Right now, you've got to prove yourself every time you step out on the ice," he said.



The Ducks' Corey Perry, being congratulated by teammate Ryan Getzlaf after a goal, has rejoined Dustin Penner and Getzlaf on the second line.

Clumbus be feared with second line inbound........

That line will hopefully be a force for many years to come. And just think, they'll only get better. Oh, and Ryan Getzlaf is the future captain of this team. Mark my words.