Steve Palumbo: Ducks 5 on 5 Play Was the Key to Successful Road Trip

Probably one of the best road trips in recent memory for the Ducks. Aside from losing in TO and MTL, which are two tough rinks to play in for a young team, the Ducks really looked good for the last 6 games.

Couple thoughts though that have been bugging me...

What moron developed the schedule for the Ducks this season...an 8 game east coast roadie is followed up by 3 homes games, only to go back to the east for a 4 game road trip less than a week after they return to CA. That means from Oct 21 to Nov 20 they have three home games. You think they could have staggered those games into 3 or 4 different trips, with a couple home games in between them all.

Also, this powerplay needs to improve drastically. Not that it is costing us many points so far, but I am worried that if the team continues to struggle with the man advantage, teams are going to start taking more and more liberties. You have to make a team pay for their mistakes and their rough stuff. Otherwise there is really no incentive for them not to rough you up.

Lastly, word is that K Lowe and Messier were in the stands tonight scouting the game. Could be a possible trade brewing with the Oil and either the Ducks or Rangers.

In the last 15 days, Teemu Selanne (oral surgery), Saku Koivu (head) Jakob Silfverberg (hand), Sami Vatanen and goalie Viktor Fasth (lower body) all went down with injuries.
- Steve Palumbo

Three Finns and two Swedes. Coincidence? Nah, Don Cherry planned this.

Matty mutha(frank)in P.

Matty mutha(frank)in P.
- Blackstrom2

Yeah, thanks for him. Enjoy your 4th rounder and your non-prospect. Perreault is a quality 2nd line center.

Despite the horrible pun, good post Steve. Great to have a regular blogger talking about The Ducks again! Thanks

On that note, it is amazing what the team has done despite miserable special teams. The thing that gets me though is that Scott Cullen keeps screwing the ducks in the power rankings. 15 last week and 10 this week despite their record.. What the hell is that all about?

Despite the horrible pun, good post Steve. Great to have a regular blogger talking about The Ducks again! Thanks

On that note, it is amazing what the team has done despite miserable special teams. The thing that gets me though is that Scott Cullen keeps screwing the ducks in the power rankings. 15 last week and 10 this week despite their record.. What the hell is that all about?
- Ducks_Fan_93

East coast bias. They'll deny it to the end but the Ducks just tied the Eastern Conf. Cup finalist and Anaheim played without their starting 2nd line nor their 3rd line center. If the Bruins had done that against the Ducks the talking heads wouldn't shut up about it. It's just the way it is and besides, I like Anaheim being under the radar. it's getting harder staying under the radar when you lead the league in points.

East coast bias. They'll deny it to the end but the Ducks just tied the Eastern Conf. Cup finalist and Anaheim played without their starting 2nd line nor their 3rd line center. If the Bruins had done that against the Ducks the talking heads wouldn't shut up about it. It's just the way it is and besides, I like Anaheim being under the radar. it's getting harder staying under the radar when you lead the league in points.
- duxcup07

I couldn't agree more.

East coast bias. They'll deny it to the end but the Ducks just tied the Eastern Conf. Cup finalist and Anaheim played without their starting 2nd line nor their 3rd line center. If the Bruins had done that against the Ducks the talking heads wouldn't shut up about it. It's just the way it is and besides, I like Anaheim being under the radar. it's getting harder staying under the radar when you lead the league in points.
- duxcup07

It's turning into a disease or something out there. I really wonder who's the odd man out once the regulars come back. DSP and Maroon are playing their best hockey yet and Anderson is solid.

Yeah, thanks for him. Enjoy your 4th rounder and your non-prospect. Perreault is a quality 2nd line center.
- yzermaneely

Lol? Why are you getting defensive? I know MP is a quality 2nd line center...it's what I said when we traded him to you guys.

Take the chip off your shoulder man, not everyone is out to get you.

Yeah, thanks for him. Enjoy your 4th rounder and your non-prospect. Perreault is a quality 2nd line center.
- yzermaneely

dude i think u misinterpreted what he said. He's praising how good Matt Perrault is

I don't think the Ducks are a one trick pony. They're great 5-on-5, but isn't that the majority of every game? And it's not like they're just good on the rush, they can cycle and their forecheck is unbelievable. Their penalty kill has been just fine recently too. They had a couple huge kills at the end of the game last night. It seems like analysts are saying that the Ducks are lucky to win games with such a bad power play, but that's not the case. They're dominating games for 50 minutes or so, and the rest of the time they are on special teams. Even if they lose the special teams battle, they're so dominant 5-on-5 that it doesn't even matter.

Lol? Why are you getting defensive? I know MP is a quality 2nd line center...it's what I said when we traded him to you guys.

Take the chip off your shoulder man, not everyone is out to get you.
- Blackstrom2

Haha! No chip bro. I just can't believe we got him for some beads. It has nothing to do with you. And you're right, the dude canplay.

That said, I do question your GM. Getting himself into a position where he had to let a legit 2nd line center who has a $1 million cap hit go makes it seem like he was asleep at the wheel. Soooooo.....Thanks! (Sheesh! You try to express gratitude to some people.)

dude i think u misinterpreted what he said. He's praising how good Matt Perrault is
- *Ducks4Cup*

Yes! I knew I was speaking English.

I don't think the Ducks are a one trick pony. They're great 5-on-5, but isn't that the majority of every game? And it's not like they're just good on the rush, they can cycle and their forecheck is unbelievable. Their penalty kill has been just fine recently too. They had a couple huge kills at the end of the game last night. It seems like analysts are saying that the Ducks are lucky to win games with such a bad power play, but that's not the case. They're dominating games for 50 minutes or so, and the rest of the time they are on special teams. Even if they lose the special teams battle, they're so dominant 5-on-5 that it doesn't even matter.
- gtrman09