The Anaheim Ducks picked a horrific time to have a three-game losing streak.

The Ducks fell 4-2 to the St. Louis Blues at the Honda Center on Monday night. With both the Kings and the Sharks in action, Anaheim had to earn at least a point to keep pace. Instead, they fell in regulation and the other two-thirds of the California connection each won.

Los Angeles moved into third place in the Pacific Division with 81 points, pushing the Ducks and their 80 points out of the playoff picture. San Jose increased their point total to 83 points. SJ and LA have a game in hand on ANA.

Yesterday I stressed the importance of scoring first. The Ducks weren't listening. They allowed the Blues to score the games first two goals before Corey Perry cut the lead in half with his 15th of the season. It was too little, too late.

Prior to Monday night, the Ducks were 7-0-2 at home. But a bevy of mistakes thwarted Anaheim's chances of extending the home point streak to 10 games.

Simply put, the Ducks were sloppy, slow and could not find an answer to the Blues forecheck. Additionally, the decision to play Francois Beachemin and Kevin Bieksa together WILL come back to haunt Randy Carlyle and the Ducks.

I think we all agree that skating and speed are not among Anaheim`s strengths. Playing physical and passing are. They didn't do any of that well last night. The Ducks have to put this game and this losing streak behind them - and fast.

Luckily the next two games are against non-playoff teams (VAN, DET) before hosting the desperate New Jersey Devils on Sunday.

My confidence in this team is wavering. If winning three, losing three, winning three is a game plan - it's a very bad one. The Kings are coming around, the Sharks are solid, Colorado keeps winning and now the Blues are back in the playoff conversation. Something has to give and the Ducks are the team that's failing the eye test.

I can very easily see the Ducks flying south in April. (My feelings may change if they win tomorrow.)

Thanks for reading, 
Steve

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