Niedermayer gets a breakthrough

ST. PAUL, MINN. —  Rob Niedermayer hadn’t forgotten how to score goals. It just looked that way.

Niedermayer had only five goals and 16 points in one of the weakest seasons on offense in his career. But the Ducks’ winger came through with a big third-period goal Sunday night that was the eventual game-winner in a 2-1, Game 3 victory over the Minnesota Wild.

It was also his first goal since Feb. 6 against San Jose, a span of 27 regular-season and two playoff games.

“Our line plays a lot of defensive minutes,” Niedermayer said. “It’s always nice when we can contribute a little bit.”

Niedermayer, who has played on a checking line all season with Samuel Pahlsson and Travis Moen, has been more worried about containing Minnesota’s top players on offense.

In the first three games, Marian Gaborik and Pavol Demitra have been held to a goal each and Brian Rolston and Mark Parrish are scoreless.

Pahlsson was happy for his linemate.

“It’s really good to see,” he said of Niedermayer. “It’s good for him too. He hasn’t had any bounces go his way. Nice shot.”

Said Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle: “Tonight he provided the winning goal and the other night he went to the front of the net and provided the screen on the power play. Different people are stepping to the forefront.”

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Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin suffered a sizable gash on his chin when he was hit with a shot by Minnesota’s Parrish late in the third period.

Beauchemin was bleeding when he slowly left the ice and went directly to the training room. He was taken to a nearby hospital for observation, and it wasn’t immediately known how many stitches were needed to close the cut.

Parrish’s right-handed shot seems to cause damage to the Ducks. Defenseman Chris Pronger broke a bone in his left foot and missed nine games when he was hit by a shot from the winger on Dec. 31.

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The Ducks switched their fourth line as Shawn Thornton received his first action of the series, playing alongside Ryan Shannon and Brad May.

Left wing George Parros was scratched largely because the Wild kept enforcer Derek Boogaard out of its lineup.

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Left wing Dustin Penner played more than 10 minutes after leaving in the third period of Game 2 because of a muscle strain.... Ducks assistant general manager David McNab denied a report out of Arizona that he’s a candidate for the vacant Phoenix Coyotes’ general manager job.

eric.stephens@latimes.com