Perry Trying to Keep It Simple on Offense

Time was running down in the second period Friday night and Corey Perry had open space in the right circle to the left of Minnesota Wild goaltender Dwayne Roloson.

Earlier in the season, the Mighty Duck rookie winger may have walked in and tried a move or two to deke the goaltender -- and possibly had the puck stolen away. Perry played it simple instead, teeing up a slapshot that blew past Roloson in the Ducks’ 4-2 victory.

It is all part of the maturation of a talented young hockey player.

“It’s one of those things I’ve been doing,” said the 20-year-old Perry, who has goals in two of his last three games. “Randy’s been all over me about shooting the puck and driving the net.”

Duck Coach Randy Carlyle said Perry, a star in junior hockey, benefited from playing in the minor leagues after being sent down in November.

“He’s a gifted offensive player that has shown [those] signs like that goal he had,” Carlyle said. “That’s a goal-scorer’s goal.”

Perry said he was simplifying his approach in front of the net.

“It’s one of those things where in juniors, there’s lots of room on the ice and you can make those extra little plays,” he said.

“Up here, you can’t do that. There’s no time to skate or just hold on to the puck. Once you get it, you’ve got to know what to do with it.”

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Sandis Ozolinsh downplayed his game-winning goal Friday, but his teammates didn’t hold back their reaction after witnessing his struggles this season with injuries and substance abuse.

“I was real happy for him,” defenseman Ruslan Salei said. “It was a big goal. It’s nice that he scored and we won the game. Looks like he’s hasn’t missed much out there so it’s real nice to see him back.

“That goal that he scored, we’ve been missing that.”

Although Ozolinsh has played in only 15 games this season, Salei said the former All-Star can make a major impact for the Ducks down the stretch.

“Unfortunately for us, he’s been injured and he’s had his difficulties,” he said. “But it’s like getting a guy in a trade without giving up nothing. Hopefully, he’s going to help a lot.”

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Forward Teemu Selanne sat out practice because of flu symptoms that began after Friday’s game. The coach alluded to Selanne possibly being worn down from the Olympics, in which he led Finland to a silver medal.

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TODAY

vs. Columbus, 1 p.m., Ch. 9

Site -- Arrowhead Pond.

Radio -- 1090.

Records -- Ducks 28-20-11; Blue Jackets 23-35-2.

Record vs. Blue Jackets -- 1-1-0.

Update -- Columbus center Sergei Fedorov makes his first visit to Anaheim since the Ducks traded the former most valuable player on Nov. 15. Fedorov has six goals and 20 assists in 42 games with the Blue Jackets.