Steve Palumbo: Ducks doomed by penalties and Gibson's rough night

Ritchie works well on the third line because the other two are smart players and can both play defense. On top of that they're getting the other team's third pairing. Putting Perry on that line and removing Kase makes the line ineffective. Are you under the impression the Ducks first and third lines lacked scoring chances last night? I thought they were both dominant in the offensive zone. In fact, the Ducks carried the play most of the night. I wouldn't panic just because the Sharks had a statistically unlikely night.

Time to put last night's poor performance behind them, move on and bounce back against the Rangers.

Even JG has an off night ... no worries there .. everything SJ did worked and Ducks couldn't buy a break... they lapsed into a former bad habit of complaining too much about calls... but they generated a ton of good looks .. Dell was just unreal.. I had no idea that Dell was anywhere near that good.

Ritchie works well on the third line because the other two are smart players and can both play defense. On top of that they're getting the other team's third pairing. Putting Perry on that line and removing Kase makes the line ineffective. Are you under the impression the Ducks first and third lines lacked scoring chances last night? I thought they were both dominant in the offensive zone. In fact, the Ducks carried the play most of the night. I wouldn't panic just because the Sharks had a statistically unlikely night.
- yzermaneely

I'm in the minority here but, but switch #10 with JT and let pears find his game with Wags and AV .. at this point he is more hindrance than help. and JT with his speed and some finish would I think work well with 67/15 - Right now pears is a turnover machine and generating nothing offensively -

I say switch Perry and Kase. Perry and Rico had great chemistry before he got injured and Kase's strong play deserves a shot at the top line.

I say switch Perry and Kase. Perry and Rico had great chemistry before he got injured and Kase's strong play deserves a shot at the top line.
- Shuttles

Weird game yesterday that's for certain. Part of me says, "What's the point in bringing up yesterday's game. It was an off game."

Why was it weird? Why was it off? It was weird because the Ducks played OK. They controlled play at times. They had chances. They were playing physically, but when it came to the hard minutes of toughing it out in the slot; it wasn't there. Then, even worse, San Jose was winning inside. They were blocking Gibby's vision, and that was the difference maker. It was just weird to see this team doing 95% of the things right, but the hardest 5%, it wasn't there while it was there for the Sharks.

In terms of things being off. I saw a lot of reaching with the stick, and the slashing penalties were no surprise to me. It seemed like this team, for some reason, thought stick into the hands is no biggie. I understand this is a game, and risks have to be taken, but the illegal stick plays were significant more so than they have been; and for me, the culprit of that is that it looked like the Ducks weren't prepared to go out and win the hockey game.

I don't want this to be a doom and gloom comment. This group has faced a lot of hardships, but do they want to make the playoffs or not? And if they want to make it, they need to figure some things out.

Moving forward, Carlyle needs to get more from some of these guys. Realistically, I think Perry on the third line with Henrique is a better option. I think giving #10 a more advantageous defensive match up will translate to more points. The dude's been way too quiet, and he needs to get going, because I for one am frustrated seeing him lose a puck battle and get countered, which is the playbook. -2 and 1 goal in the 6 games since he's been back isn't sustainable. This team needs to get production from #10.

And I don't know what to say about the special teams. The Ducks are first in Power Play Opportunities Against and second to last in Power Play Opportunities for. This team has a capable PP, but it needs an opportunity to get going. They need to start getting more power play opportunities so that group can reestablish themselves.

I don't want to be negative, but this is a playoff group, and there has to be a change in trends if they want to make it into the postseason.

Yes - my message received by RC ... 10 to play with AV & Wags / Silf wth 37/14
& JT up to 2nd line ... killer