FROM THE FIELD : KARIYA, SELANNE WILL NEED HELP.

It's almost impossible not to watch the Mighty Ducks' success in the playoffs in disbelief.

Not because it offends the sensibilities that a team nicknamed after a bad kids movie remains alive while more tradition-laden teams such as the Canadiens are on vacation.

Or that a warm-weather city has embraced a sport played on ice. Wayne Gretzky and the Kings proved long ago sun-baked fans will support winning hockey teams.

It's that the Ducks are a one-line team, and one-line teams aren't supposed to be successful in the playoffs.

The Ducks got minimal contributions from players other than Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne in beating the Phoenix Coyotes in the Western Conference's first round.

If they are to beat the Red Wings in their second-round series, beginning today in Detroit, other players must shoulder more of the load.

Kariya and Selanne skated circles around the Coyotes, with each scoring five goals in the series. They'll be hard-pressed to match that success against the Red Wings.

Kariya and Selanne will draw most of the attention of the Red Wings, who are more capable of matching up with the speedy duo than the Coyotes.

Detroit coach Scotty Bowman could put his five Russian players on the ice against them, pitting speed against speed.

If that approach doesn't work, he could put physical players such as Tomas Sandstrom, Kris Draper or Kirk Maltby against them.

The latter approach worked for the Coyotes, until Jeremy Roenick injured his knee in Game 6.

``You can't play a matchup game against them,'' Bowman said. ``Besides, you wouldn't want to put that much pressure on just one line.''

One line was enough for the Ducks against the Red Wings during the regular season. The Ducks were 3-0-1 against them, with three of the games played in March.

``We haven't been able to score on them,'' Detroit center Kris Draper said. ``In those games we threw everything at (goalie Guy) Hebert, really, except the kitchen sink.''

But the regular season doesn't always provide clues as to what will happen in the playoffs. Just ask the Dallas Stars, who were upset by Edmonton in the first round.

If the Red Wings can stop Kariya and Selanne, they will win the series. Unless, of course, a Jari Kurri, Steve Rucchin or a Kevin Todd picks up the slack.

But that hasn't happened yet for the Ducks.