Getzlaf’s slow going is a matter of feet

Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle touched on a number of subjects following Saturday’s practice but none drew an emphatic response like a question about Ryan Getzlaf and his current dry spell.

Getzlaf hasn’t scored a goal since appearing in his first All-Star game and he has only four assists in 10 games since his 15-game point scoring streak ended.

Carlyle offered a simple plan for his leading scorer.

“Move his feet. Move his feet. Move his feet,” Carlyle said. “He has to move his feet. You want me to say it again? Getzlaf has to move his feet.”

Getzlaf snickered when told of his coach’s comments. Moments later, the 22-year-old center acknowledged the shortcomings in his game at the moment.

“I think it’s a mental thing,” said Getzlaf, who has 19 goals and 62 points. “When you get to a point when you’re not scoring as much as you used to do, you tend to try and do too much. I know I’m always looking for that pass where before I would just normally take the puck and go.

“It’s just something you’ve got to get through now.”

The Ducks had won five games in a row until Friday night’s loss to Pacific Division-leading Dallas by getting contributions from deep in their roster. It’s a recipe for success but a good meal needs main ingredients.

For instance, Getzlaf picked off a clearing pass by goalie Marty Turco in the second period and had an open net, but his shot hit the right post.

Too much thinking instead of just reacting.

“I’m trying too much to make that extra little play or even just to make the simple play,” Getzlaf said. “It’s something that needs to come naturally. I just need to play the game. That’s what I’m trying to do right now. Just play.”

Carlyle has occasionally pushed and prodded his 6-foot-4, 221-pound center into becoming the star everyone inside the organization believes he will become.

“I think he’s playing on the outside too much,” the coach said. “He’s got to get on the inside more. Play inside with the puck. Get inside. He’s got tremendous skill. Big body. There’s no reason he can’t move his feet and get inside better on a more consistent basis. Corey Perry does it on a regular basis. [Teemu] Selanne does it on a regular basis.

“Sure it’s nice to be on the outside and score the highlight-reel goal. But how many goals are like that on the NHL level? They’re all second chance, third chances. Rebounds. Power plays. There’s not a lot of highlight-reel, step-on-the-wing-and-fire-it [goals] anymore.”

TODAY

vs. Calgary, 5 p.m., FSN West

Site – Honda Center.

Radio – 830.

Records – Ducks 32-23-7; Flames 29-21-8.

Record vs. Flames – 1-1-0.

Update – The Ducks spent a lot of time working on their power play, which is only three for 35 in the last 10 games. “Would we like more offense? Yeah,” Carlyle said. “How we’re going to get more offense? Special teams. Our power play has got to deliver at a higher rate.”

Tickets – (877) 945-3946.

eric.stephens@latimes.com