The Ducks came out ready to play following an ugly loss to Vegas earlier in the week. Anaheim put 41 shots on goal, and Rickard Rakell stayed hot with another goal and an assist to lead his team to a 2-1 win over the Calgary Flames.
The Ducks put their worst loss of the season behind them with one of their best efforts of the season. Rakell scored in his fourth straight game and increased his teaming leading goal count to 12.
Once again Anaheim dominated the opening frame. They out shot Calgary 20-5 and grabbing the lead on Cam Fowler's 50th career goal. True to form, the Ducks sagged in the second period, eventually allowing the Flames to pull even. Instead of folding up shop as they did vs. Vegas, the Ducks came out aggressive and ready to play in the final period. It worked and they went ahead for good on Rakell's power play goal.
In my last blog, I blasted the Ducks for their antiquated approach to the game. On Friday night they played a faster, more intentional game AND they actually out pucks on net. They did a better job of keeping the puck moving from tape to tape and it paid off with two crucial points.
The Ducks are not built for speed. What they do have are players who are strong on the puck and can make plays. Anaheim must be the hungrier, more aggressive club to be successful. What Vegas did to them was embarrassing. I hope it was a wake up call.
Anaheim is 6-4-4 in the month of December after einning three of their last four. They can end the month on a high note at home against lowly Arizona on Sunday. That would give them points in 11 of 15 games to close out the 2017 calendar year. Not bad for a team with more than 220 man games lost to injury.
Notable game notes that are noteworthy...
- Adam Henrique was held pointless again. Meanwhile, Sami Vatanen has found a home in New Jersey and their busiest and best defenseman. Just sayin...
- Ryan Getzlaf continued his hot play with two more helpers. The captain has 18 points (3g 15a) in the 15 games he's played this season. Getzlaf has 11 points (1g 10a) in his last eight games.
- Jakob Silvferberg has been my favorite Ducks since he arrived via the Bobby Ryan trade. He is such a smart hockey player and he makes his linemates look good with some of his insane passes. I feel like watching him makes me a better hockey player too. He too is starting to wake up offensively with points (all assists) in three consecutive games.
- John Gibson picked up his 12th win of the season to improve his record to 12-12. Somehow I feel like that record doesn't tell the whole story. Without Gibby the Ducks would be in a world of hurt.
- With the win the Ducks improved to 17-14-8 with 42 points. The trail San Jose by two points for third in the Pacific and Minnesota by one point for the final Wild Card spot out west.
- Lastly, Cam Fowler has two goals in the last two games.
Anaheim rings in the new year against the 'Yotes on Sunday.
Thanks for reading, Steve
Pacific Division Standings:
VEG 25 9 2 52 LAK 22 11 5 49 SJS 20 11 4 44 ANA 17 14 8 42 CGY 18 16 4 40 EDM 17 18 3 37 VAN 16 17 5 37 ARI 9 26 5 23