Andrew Cogliano spent two years in Edmonton, Andrew Gordon saw limited time in Washington and Devante Smith-Pelly has arrived in the NHL after impressing in juniors. Together they form the Ducks' third line.

Meet the new third line for the Anaheim Ducks.

Few probably picked Andrew Gordon and Devante Smith-Pelly to flank center Andrew Cogliano out of training camp, but the trio earned the season-opening job and provided a glimpse of its potential in the weekend’s Premiere Games.

They combined for seven shots on goal and accounted for the team's regulation goal in a 2-1 shootout victory against the New York Rangers on Saturday. That performance followed a lackluster showing in the season-opening loss to Buffalo when the trio was a combined minus-3.

While Cogliano is expected to show his scoring flair, the three are expected to give Anahein a semblance of a checking line as Gordon and Smith-Pelly emerged in preseason with their defense and penalty killing.

Gordon, 25, was more of a scorer in the Washington Capitals' organization but he was told to audition for a third-line role when he signed a two-year deal with Anaheim at the outset of free agency

“I wanted to come into camp this year and try to play my way into that job and let them know I can carve out a role here,” Gordon said.

“Trying to establish myself early is tough but at the same time you just have to work hard, and if you get a couple of bounces like I did in the preseason, suddenly you’re a little bit tough to let go. I just tried to carry that through to the regular season.”

Smith-Pelly, 19, was a near point-per-game player for Mississauga of the Ontario Hockey League last season and, though he earned notice with a strong Memorial Cup a starting job, was hardly a lock.

The Ducks had more experienced options in Matt Beleskey and Dan Sexton. But Beleskey is hurt and Sexton had a disappointing camp, so Smith-Pelly is getting his shot.

“Last year I was disappointed (at not making the club) even though, obviously, as an 18-year-old, I wasn’t going to play,” Smith-Pelly said.

“I was still a little disappointed when I did get sent home. This year my goal was 100 percent to start the season here, and I accomplished that. But I still have to continue to stay here the whole year.”

The only question with Cogliano is whether he can rediscover the knack that made him a back-to-back 18-goal scorer his first two seasons on a last-place Edmonton team.

Cogliano at least got off to a good start with a goal against the Rangers after coach Randy Carlyle moved him back to center after an experiment on the wing.

“Speed is his No.1 asset, and we have to find a way to help him get that speed to be noticeable,” Carlyle said.

The line was noticeable on the score sheet Saturday, and that doesn’t hurt their chances of sticking around.

Gordon and Smith-Pelly, the unlikely wings, are embracing the ride.

“It would be a dream come true,” Smith-Pelly said. “It was my goal as soon as my season ended last year. I’m happy I got a chance to start here and hopefully I’ll get a chance to stay.”

Gordon is one of the better talkers around and he has an active Twitter feed. He wrote a blog for NHL.com during the Premiere Games.

An extended stay in the NHL would certainly give him more material.

“It’s a good time being in the NHL," Gordon said. "This is what you always dream of. You don’t want to focus too hard and let it pass you by, but at the same time, this is my dream so I want to make sure I enjoy it.”

Notes

Phoenix captain Shane Doan told the Arizona Republic that he wants to finish his career with the Coyotes. The paper reported he would likely work out a three or four-year contract extension if the team’s ownership situation gets settled. Doan, perpetually the subject of trade deadline rumors, is signed through this season … Former Dallas Star Sean Avery’s demotion to the minors took $1.9 million off Dallas’s salary cap because the Stars and New York Rangers split his salary when New York claimed Avery off waivers in 2009. … One of the good stories out of Los Angeles Kings’ camp was RW Trent Hunter making the roster on a tryout contract, but he was benched for RW Kevin Westgarth last Saturday after what coach Terry Murray deemed a poor opener. … With Antti Niemi and Antero Niittymaki unavailable for San Jose’s opener, Thomas Greiss got his first start and win since March 28, 2010. He was backed up by Harri Sateri, who has yet to appear in an NHL game. No matter: The Sharks got goals from all four lines with 52 shots on goal and didn’t even have RW Martin Havlat (shoulder) in a 6-3 victory against Phoenix.

Photos by Getty Images

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