One Trio Got the Point Early

Mighty Duck Coach Bryan Murray used the same line combinations against Pittsburgh Saturday as he did in Thursday’s opener in Boston.

Paul Kariya again skated with Samuel Pahlsson and Timo Parssinen and had one shot. But that line also drew the top Pittsburgh checking line.

“This team seemed to depend on a couple people last season,” said Murray, in his first season as coach. “That’s too easy to shut down, especially on the road when the home team has the last line change. We’re trying to create three lines who have a chance to score.”

One line has done just that. Jeff Friesen, Matt Cullen and Marty McInnis combined for three goals in the 4-2 victory over the Penguins Saturday, and another in the loss to Boston Thursday.

“We’re kind of similar players,” McInnis said of his linemates. “We feed off each other’s energy.”

Friesen assisted on two goals by Cullen and the clincher by McInnis with 5 minutes 18 seconds left.

“I think the big thing is we’re keeping everything simple,” Cullen said. “We’re not staying back and waiting. We’re taking it to the net.”

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Right wing Jim Cummins skated Saturday for the first time since playing in a Sept. 23 exhibition game against San Jose. He has been out because of an ankle infection from a blister on his right heel but might play Monday in Toronto.