Rookies Preparing for Their First Run

Ryan Getzlaf has played in big hockey games before. So has Corey Perry. Only both were at the junior level.

Chris Kunitz and Francois Beauchemin have been in the playoffs. The American Hockey League playoffs.

For the six first-year players who figure to be in the Mighty Duck lineup for Game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Calgary Flames, Friday night will serve as their baptism into the quest for the Stanley Cup.

“It’s like anything else,” Getzlaf said. “You never know really what it’s like until you’re there. That’s what we’re looking forward to Friday. It’s an exciting time. We’ve been playing for it all year.”

Kunitz acknowledged it would be an unfamiliar setting.

“Inexperience is always going to catch up with you a bit,” he said. “But our team is a bunch of fast learners and everybody knows how important this is. It’s for the veterans in here to stress how important this is for those who haven’t been through it.”

Duck Coach Randy Carlyle said he doesn’t think the youngsters will be overwhelmed.

“They’ve played in hostile situations previously,” Carlyle said. “They’ve experienced those things. Is it going to be different? Yeah, it’s going to be different because there’s going to be 17,000 screaming fans that are going to be against us, not for us.

“But that’s the reality of playing in big games and playing in the playoffs. That’s not the first time that’s happened to them.”

Getzlaf will have an idea of what the city of Calgary will be like this weekend. He spent four years playing there for the Hitmen of the Western Hockey League and was there in 2004 when the Flames made their run to the Cup final.

“We sold out that building last year in junior hockey,” Getzlaf said. “It’s crazy. Everybody just likes hockey there.”

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With 19 goals and 22 assists, Kunitz broke previous rookie team records held by Paul Kariya after spending time in the minors and a short stint in another organization.

Kunitz said his only goal was to play 82 games, not be on a top line with Teemu Selanne and Andy McDonald.

“I didn’t realize that,” he said. “This year has been so up and down.... I’ve been playing with great players who obviously are putting up phenomenal numbers. It’s the reward of playing with them.”

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Left wing Todd Fedoruk, who incurred back spasms Saturday during a game in San Jose, skated in non-contact drills and Carlyle said he expected him to be ready.