Titov Is Producing on the Third Line

Left wing German Titov may never be the 60-point scorer General Manager Pierre Gauthier said he was when he gave him a three-year, $4.6-million contract before the 2000-01 season. But what Titov has been over the last few weeks is a productive third-line player.

Titov has skated hard, forechecked and even produced or helped produce a few goals skating with Matt Cullen and Marty McInnis. He assisted on Cullen’s second-period goal in a 3-1 victory over Nashville on Saturday, giving him a four-game point streak for the first time in his brief Duck career.

On Monday, he created a turnover in the corner and backhanded a pass to Mike Leclerc for a goal against the Kings. On Wednesday, he broke a 1-1 tie with Minnesota by charging the net and scoring. Friday, he again went to the net and poked in a rebound against Dallas.

“I feel good right now,” Titov said. “It has not been easy. I have tried to forget about last season and just play hockey.”

Titov’s life was ripped apart last season, when his father and brother died in apparent suicides a few months apart. Titov, who was expected to center the Ducks’ second line, finished with nine goals and 20 points, both career lows.

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Nashville’s Petr Tenkrat, acquired from the Ducks earlier this season, had his goal-less streak extended to seven games.

He hasn’t had a goal since scoring the game-winner against the Ducks on Jan. 12.

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Chris Foster