Checking Line Delivers at Both Ends of the Ice

The Ducks’ ideal plan is to have three lines provide the bulk of their offense this season. It means that the checking line of Travis Moen, Samuel Pahlsson and Rob Niedermayer will shoulder much of the unglamorous dirty work.

So far, they have not only done their job in their own end but given the Ducks some production in the opponent’s zone. The trio has been together through the first five games and is plus-7 as a unit.

Overshadowed in the Ducks’ 4-3 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars on Sunday was another strong effort by the line. Niedermayer started a third-period rally when he set up Scott Niedermayer’s goal and Pahlsson won the key faceoff that resulted in Andy McDonald’s game-tying goal with the extra attacker.

“They’ve played hard and they’ve given us the type of minutes that’s required,” Coach Randy Carlyle said. “They’re a grinding line. We use them in a lot of roles, specifically with checking and playing against the other team’s top line.”

Rob Niedermayer says he is comfortable with his linemates.

“I’ve played with Sammy for a long time,” Niedermayer said. “When you’ve played with a guy for a while, you know what he’s going to do. Travis came in this year in great shape and he’s really helped out a lot. He gets right in on the forecheck and gives us some room out there.”

Moen, a second-year left wing, has held up his end. On Sunday, he was on the ice for Todd Marchant’s short-handed goal, and he’s become a regular in penalty-killing situations.

In the Ducks’ loss to the New York Islanders on Wednesday, Moen set up one of Pahlsson’s two goals. Acquired in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks on July 30, 2005, Moen suited up in only 39 games last season.

“Last year, he was a savior for us in a lot of situations,” Carlyle said. “He came into training camp and earned his opportunity.”

*

The Ducks went with the same lineup Sunday, as forwards Stanislav Chistov and Travis Green and defenseman Ian Moran were healthy scratches for the fifth straight game.... Marchant’s first-period goal was his first in a short-handed situation since Nov. 22, 2002, when he played for the Edmonton Oilers.

*

eric.stephens@latimes.com