It’s a Matter of Time for Kariya

The Mighty Ducks and their coach haven’t shown any stress about Paul Kariya’s scoring drought.

The upside is, the Ducks have managed nicely without any points from their top line in the last three games. Kariya, Steve Rucchin and Jeff Friesen have struggled. The trio has two goals--by Rucchin and Friesen--since being teamed together four games ago.

Yet the Ducks are 2-1-1-0 in that span as others have stepped up. Dan Bylsma and Marc Chouinard had goals in the Ducks’ 3-2 overtime victory over Phoenix Wednesday.

Coach Bryan Murray joked afterward: “Our top line is going to score, aren’t they? They have to, right?”

It hasn’t been necessary lately.

The Ducks haven’t buried opponents under a pile of goals, but they are eking out enough offense. Mike Leclerc has two goals in two games, both game winners. Matt Cullen had two nifty assists against Phoenix. And grinders Bylsma and Chouinard chipped in goals.

“I think that shows that all four of our lines are working hard,” Murray said.

“Obviously, we look for that top line to score goals. But what makes a good team is being able to win without your stars carrying you.”

Still, it is unusual for Kariya, who has gone nine games without a goal, one shy of his longest drought. He went 10 games without a goal, from Dec. 16, 1998 until Jan. 6, 1999, but still finished that season with 39 goals and 101 points.

Kariya scored on his first shot of the season, and is 0 for his last 36.

“Teams send their best checking lines out against Paul,” Murray said. “That allows our other lines to get more opportunities.”

The Ducks’ struggles on offense have been offset a little from the blue line by defenseman Ruslan Salei the past two games.

In the last four games, Salei has a goal and two assists. He had a goal on three shots in a 3-1 victory over Vancouver Sunday and an assist on two shots against Phoenix.

“I’ve talked to the defensemen about taking some pressure off the forwards,” Murray said. “If they are active, they have to be covered. Rusty has a great shot if it would hit the net on a regular basis.”

Salei, who has one goal this season and 14 in five seasons, said he isn’t doing anything differently.

“I’ve been more lucky in the last couple games,” Salei said. “Bryan wants the defensemen to take more control, bring the puck up and get our speed game going.”