The 2011-12 season has been a long strange trip for the Anaheim Ducks and it's not over yet. Obviously everybody knows where the Ducks were and where they are now but they still have a tremendous amount of work left to do.
Tonight they face the Calgary Flames on the heels of a two-game losing streak that can easily be turned into a two-game winning streak when they face the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. That's a possible four points against their direct competition. HUGE!
Anaheim has lost only once at home to Calgary since the 1998-99 season. They are an astonishing 20-1-0 over that span. The Ducks extended their home winning streak in the series to 14 games with an epic 8-round shootout win back on Feb. 6. I had the pleasure of being at that game and it was worth every penny.
Tonight's game is not just important in terms of playoff positioning but it's important in terms of the Ducks Psyche. If they can pull out a victory it may help restore some of that confidence they oozed during the 17-3-4 run to get back into contention.
They Ducks have looked tired in losing the last two games but they can't use that as an excuse. They dug themselves this hole and they need to dig deep inside to pull themselves out of it.
Anaheim has fallen seven points behind the eight spot with 18 games left. Most believe the Ducks will need at least 92 points to have a shot at the postseason. That means they would need to capture at least 28 of a possible 36 points over that span. Basically they can only afford to lose four more games. *Gulp*
I hate to be a
"Debbie Downer" as one reader put it but that's a tough nut to crack.
But, I've said all along if there is a team that can make this happen it's this one. It starts tonight with the Flames tonight and the Kings tomorrow. It's too late to worry about the first half of the year. It's all about here and now...one game, one period and once shift at a time.
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What to watch for tonight.....
Calgary Flames (29-24-11) vs Anaheim Ducks (27-27-10)
* The Flames are 5-0-4 in their last nine road games.
* Look for Jarome Iginla to be a factor in tonight's contest. He picked up his 24th goal the other night to snap a five-game scoreless drought. He tends to play well against Anaheim.
* The Flames are 5-2-5 against Pacific Division opponents.
* Saku Koivu has just three points (1g 2a) in his last nine games but he is a team best 52% in the face-off circle and he also leads the team in plus/minus at plus-16.
* Corey Perry has cooled off his goal scoring pace a bit. He will need to average more than a goal a game for the rest of the season to reach 50. Yeah...so that's not happening.
* Ducks, Flames, Wild and Stars all in action tonight. Let's hope the Ducks win and get some help.
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