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What we learned from the Ducks’ 4-2 win over the Blue Jackets

Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen tries to smother the puck in the crease in the first period of Friday night's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen tries to smother the puck in the crease in the first period of Friday night’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

(Lenny Ignelzi / Associated Press)
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To say that the Ducks typically go the way their captain goes is probably an understatement.

When Ryan Getzlaf is on his game the Ducks are at their best. When he’s out of their lineup, they often look out of sync.

Friday was Exhibit A, with an added story line. Getzlaf had three assists in his first game back since he underwent an appendectomy last week in a 4-2 win against Columbus.

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Was the Ducks’ early season malaise removed along with that appendix?

Here’s what we learned:

The band is back together … for now

Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau reunited Getzlaf with Corey Perry and Patrick Maroon, and they combined for a goal and six assists. That was the line the Ducks had success with in the playoffs last season, so Boudreau might have found something to ride.

Again, it starts with Getzlaf.

“He’s the straw that stirs drink around here,” Cam Fowler said. “Guys feed off his energy and his playmaking ability. He’s the type of guy that makes everyone else around him a better player just by being out there.”

Ducks are hanging their hat on penalty killing and goaltending

Their top-ranked penalty killing unit made key kills at the end of the second period and beginning of the third to protect a lead.

Goalie Frederik Andersen made 34 saves and now has his first three-game win streak since April. He has a 2.03 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage.

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It seems that Boudreau will have to play Andersen more than he’d like to get the Ducks out of their hole, noteworthy given that Andersen was overused at times last season.

“One of these days he’ll have a night off,” Boudreau joked. “He’s a big strong guy. We don’t play Sunday.”

Boudreau downplayed that aspect, though.

“Freddie’s been really good in the last few, and I’m sure [backup Anton] Khudobin will be going again soon, and he’ll go great.”

The second line is still quiet

The Ducks are still waiting for Ryan Kesler and Carl Hagelin to get going offensively. They inched toward it with four shots apiece and are looking more active.

Kesler is scoreless for his first 13 games, which matches his career-long slump from the start of the 2006-07 season. Hagelin has one goal in 13 games.

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“Hags had a couple of really good looks today and so did Kes,” Boudreau said. “You could see they’re on the verge of breaking it open.”

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