Kariya, Selanne Ready to Rejuvenate Line

The last time Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne played on the same line--during a 4-1 loss Thursday in Chicago--it was hardly a thing of beauty. Both were nursing injuries and the result was a less-than-mediocre performance.

“We both rely on our speed to create our offense,” Kariya said. “Take even 10% of that away and it makes a big difference. But neither of us played as hard as we could and we were both cheating to try and get opportunities.

“It hurt our defense and hurt our offense, too, because were most effective when were coming in with speed behind the play.”

Kariya is confident Duck fans will see another side of the Selanne-Steve Rucchin-Kariya line tonight.

“We’ve always enjoyed playing together and we’ll get back to where we were, even better than we were in the past,” he said. “It’s pretty hard to keep us under wraps for 60 minutes if we play the game properly.”

If they don’t, they’ll likely find themselves on different lines again.

“If they work hard, they’ll stay together,” Coach Craig Hartsburg said. “If they don’t, we’ll split them up just like any other line.”

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For the second time in his career, center Matt Cullen has responded positively to a trip to the minors.

Last January, he went down to Cincinnati, scored 11 goals in seven games and returned with renewed confidence and poise. After a three-game stint with Cincinnati that ended Nov. 29, Cullen has scored three points in three games, including his first goal of the season Sunday in San Jose.

“You get the ice time, you can relax a little and regain your confidence,” Cullen said. “I just hope I don’t have to go down to Cincinnati every time I’m in a slump.”

Hartsburg, however, doesn’t think it’s such a bad idea . . . and not just for young players.

“The minors are not a place of punishment,” he said. “It’s really too bad you can’t send the older players down as well. The level of play isn’t as high and the ramifications of making a mistake aren’t as serious. It can really help you get back your game when you’re struggling.”

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The Ducks scored two power-play goals Sunday against San Jose, but Rucchin still describes the team’s power play as “disoriented.”

“We just seem to be having trouble,” he said. “So right now, I think we need to concentrate on setting the tone early with our first couple of power plays, pound the puck on the net and then really battle for the rebounds.

“Then maybe we’ll get them sitting back a little and get some more room later in the game.”