Orange County Register

Five games into the season and the Ducks have just four power-play goals, which is disappointing for the kind of personnel they can trot on the ice when they have the man advantage.

Early-season percentage numbers are going to be skewed and if the Ducks’ 21.1% conversion rate holds up, it’ll look pretty good in the long run.

But that didn’t stop assistant coach Newell Brown from working with the two units to start today’s morning skate at Honda Center ahead of their game against Minnesota.

“Specialty teams always seem to have peaks and valleys,” Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. “On our power play, we’ve created a lot of offensive chances. But I think that we haven’t given ourselves enough of a chance to win some hockey games with it.

“There are opportune times in the game where you get a power play that you’ve got to find a way for it to get you a goal. Our execution at times has been questionable. At other times, we’ve looked very good with it but haven’t had the result.

“So again, it’s always a work in progress. We do it on a daily basis.”

Lately, the Ducks have gone with Scott Niedermayer and Ryan Getzlaf at point on the first unit with Teemu Selanne, Saku Koivu and Corey Perry down low.

Carlyle didn’t mince words when he said he wants more fight from his skill players.

“You can talk about all the skill in the world but you’ve got to have more will,” he said. “Skill alone doesn’t get it done. There’s some staples that I’m sure everybody will talk about and we’re no different.

“We talk about puck recovery starting with the faceoff. You want to start with the puck. You want to establish a shot, that you’ve got the ability to shoot the puck from the point. You’ve got to have net presence. You’ve got to be willing to outwork the penalty killers and move the puck around.

“Yes, skill is a big part of it, but the will of your power play has to be at the forefront also.”

Beyond power-play instruction, the Ducks went through an abbreviated skate without any line rushes. Jonas Hiller is expected to get the start in net while winger Erik Christensen should get his first look since opening night against San Jose.

Nick Boynton is expected to be back in the lineup with Brendan Mikkelson sitting. Christensen will play in Andrew Ebbett’s place.

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