Detroit is fed a new line

On a board in Detroit’s locker room in preparation for Game 3, the opposing lineup was written down, with veteran Brad May replacing injured Chris Kunitz on the Ducks No. 1 line. It made sense because that’s how the Ducks skated in their morning workout.

But once Tuesday’s game began, May was on the No. 2 line with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. And on the top line instead was Dustin Penner, skating alongside Teemu Selanne and Andy McDonald.

Coach Randy Carlyle made sure Tuesday morning that there was no hint Penner would be Kunitz’s replacement, talking up May’s strengths to reporters.

“He can go out and play a physical hockey game,” Carlyle said. “He can play in all three of your forward lines. He can provide you with the physical presence. He’s real strong on the forecheck. He’s a physical player. He will stand up for his teammates.”

Kunitz, who had surgery Tuesday for a broken bone in his right hand, had sat out Game 2, and Carlyle had primarily used Penner and Todd Marchant.

“We’re definitely going to miss what Chris brings to the rink,” Penner said of Kunitz, who had 25 goals and 35 assists in the regular season. “There’s definitely a little more onus on myself. I have to produce a lot more for us. I know that.”

The Ducks’ started Game 3 with their same checking line of Rob Niedermayer, Samuel Pahlsson and Travis Moen, and Ryan Shannon, Marchant and Shawn Thornton on the fourth line. Thornton, who suffered a lower-body injury in Game 2, was a game-time decision.

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For Detroit forward Tomas Kopecky, it was difficult not to think about Game 3 after Coach Mike Babcock told him that he would replace Kyle Calder. It was Kopecky’s first playoff game.

“You can’t put too much pressure on yourself, because that only will make you more nervous,” said Kopecky, who hadn’t played since suffering a broken collarbone Dec. 14.

“For the last month, I have felt really good on the ice.”

Kopecky was called for two minor penalties in the first period Tuesday night.

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lonnie.white@latimes.com