DUCKS: THE KIDS MORE THAN ALL RIGHT SECOND LINE IS HUGE FOR DUCKS.

Byline: ELLIOTT TEAFORD

Staff Writer

The road beckoned, so the Ducks skated a few easy laps around the Honda Center ice before boarding the chartered aircraft that would take them to the Twin Cities for Game 3 of their opening-round playoff series against the Minnesota Wild tonight.

Although pleased by their 2-0 lead over Minnesota in the best-of-7 series, the Ducks said Saturday morning that they have miles to skate before they can consider the Wild tamed.

The Ducks said they must play harder and smarter at the Xcel Energy Center, avoiding a repeat of the second-period march to the penalty box that nearly derailed them during their 3-2 victory Friday in Game 2.

Getting more out of their youthful second line of Ryan Getzlaf, Dustin Penner and Corey Perry is not a concern, however. Despite their relative lack of experience, the so-called "Kid Line" has played like wily veterans so far.

The 21-year-old Getzlaf had a highlight-reel goal while the Ducks were shorthanded in the second period Friday, which turned out to be the winner.

He also set up the second of defenseman Francois Beauchemin's two power-play goals.

Penner, 24, scored the winning goal in the Ducks' 2-1 victory Wednesday in Game 1, a backhander from point-blank range. He left in the third period Friday because of a strained upper-body muscle and his participation tonight is uncertain.

Perry, 21, assisted on Penner's goal Wednesday, capping a goal-mouth scramble. He also moved onto the penalty-killing unit while Chris Kunitz took up semi-permanent residence in the penalty box in Game 2.

"They've been thrust into a bigger role," defenseman Chris Pronger said of the Kid Line. "Obviously, they've excelled and become a huge part of our team.

"They're even starting to kill penalties."

To be sure, Getzlaf, Penner and Perry have earned more ice time because they have produced more than their fair share of goals and assists. After all, Getzlaf had 25 goals and 33assists to lead the line with 58points during the regular season.

Penner, a rookie in name only, had 29 goals and 16assists, and Perry added 17goals and 27 assists to give the Ducks a potent second line behind their top trio of Kunitz, Andy McDonald and Teemu Selanne.

Every bit as important as their offense, the Kid Line has earned the trust of crusty Ducks coach Randy Carlyle.

"We've talked about the youth of our team and how they're more at the forefront of it this year," Carlyle said. "We hope they're not considered rookies or sophomores this year. We didn't protect them this year. Do we put them on the ice against the other team's No. 1 line? No."

Carlyle reserved his highest praise for Getzlaf.

"With Getzlaf, he can be as good as he wants to be," Carlyle said. "He can do things that other guys don't even try with the puck. He still needs to improve in the area of dictating with the puck. We'd like him to shoot more.

"He's a pretty good hockey player and we think he can do more."

Carlyle continues to demand more from Penner.

"Randy sees the potential Dustin has," Selanne said. "He has to bring it out of him.

"If you let (Penner) go into his comfort zone, he's a sleeper. If he didn't have the potential, then Randy wouldn't push him at all."

Perry's game continues to evolve. After all, he joined the Ducks' penalty-killing unit in Game 2 and helped to hold the Wild scoreless in six man-advantage situations.

"If there's one player who has transformed into a man, it's Corey Perry," Carlyle said. "You can pretty much trust him. The biggest compliment a coach can give a player is that he trusts him, and Corey Perry is trustworthy in all situations."

Indeed, these kids are better than all right.

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The Ducks' Ryan Getzlaf scored a shorthanded goal Friday, which turned out to be the winner against Minnesota.

Jeff Gross/Getty Images