Dropped to the fourth line before Sunday's game, he produces a goal and an assist in 5-3 victory over Columbus.The Ducks' Bobby Ryan took a tumble . . . before Sunday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets even began.
Ryan had been on the Ducks' top two lines almost exclusively since being recalled from minor league Iowa three weeks ago. He was dropped to the fourth line Sunday.
Ryan had been on the Ducks' top two lines almost exclusively since being recalled from minor league Iowa three weeks ago. He was dropped to the fourth line Sunday.
A message from Coach Randy Carlyle?
"Yes and no," Ryan said.
The message back from Ryan was clear. He scored one goal and assisted on another, as the Ducks' energy line (Ryan, Ryan Carter and George Parros) gave the offense a little oomph in a 5-3 victory over Columbus.
"It's a different role and you embrace it," Ryan said. "All they want me to do is bring energy. If we put a couple like we did tonight that's fine.""Yes and no," Ryan said.
The message back from Ryan was clear. He scored one goal and assisted on another, as the Ducks' energy line (Ryan, Ryan Carter and George Parros) gave the offense a little oomph in a 5-3 victory over Columbus.
Ryan practiced the previous two days with the fourth line. Carlyle, though, said Saturday that Ryan would play on a scoring line. That was for public consumption. Privately, Ryan said he was told Saturday that he would be on the fourth line.
"I felt that it's probably better at this point, with the way things have gone for him," Carlyle said after Sunday's game. "I didn't think he felt comfortable in some situations. He has to understand there is a grooming process that takes place in the NHL. The fact is, it is not easy to step in and play second-line minutes in your first year."
Ryan showed that day may not be far off. He led a two-on-one rush into the Columbus zone, then slipped a pass to Carter, who scored in the second period. Ryan was perched at the crease in the third period and chipped in a pass from Parros.
"He brings some puck-handling skills to our line," Parros said. "He's not afraid to make plays."
Ryan knows that wasn't the message he was being given. "We know he can score goals," Carlyle said.
Said Ryan: "We're not relied upon to score. We're relied upon to hit people. If the momentum is in the other team's favor, we're going to change it back."
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