The play of Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan wasn’t the only reason the Ducks limped into their home opener Wednesday without a win to show for their first three games of the season.
Still, the trio’s combined totals of zero goals and zero assists had to change in a hurry.
The top line clicked, and the rest of the Ducks followed, surviving an ugly start to defeat the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 in their home opener before an announced crowd of 17,174.
Ryan pickpocketed reigning league MVP Henrik Sedin in the neutral zone, then completed a give-and-go play with Getzlaf for the game-winner with 9:48 left in the third period. Getzlaf had a goal and three assists, and Perry and Teemu Selanne also scored for the Ducks (1-3-0).
More in tomorrow’s editions of the Sun and Daily Bulletin. Here are a few notes that didn’t make the paper:
Head coach Randy Carlyle praised the work of Kyle Chipchura, who centered a line with wingers Matt Beleskey and Dan Sexton that held the line of Ryan Kesler, Mason Raymond and Jannik Hansen scoreless.
Enforcer George Parros shifted to left wing on a line with Todd Marchant at center and Troy Bodie at right wing. This was arguably the Ducks’ best line at even strength during the first two periods; the line had four shots on goal, includingthree by Parros.
Sheldon Brookbank and Raffi Torres engaged in the game’s only fight at 11:22. Torres won the hit count but drew an additional 2-minute penalty for instigating.
The Canucks’ 39 shots on goal were the fewest by a Ducks opponent this season.
The Ducks have gone 6-2-2 against the Canucks dating back to Mar. 12, 2008.
Ryan Getzlaf recorded his fifth career game of four or more points (he’s got four 4-point games and one 5-point game). The last was Feb. 14, 2010 at Edmonton.
