The Anaheim Ducks could potentially head to the All-Star break having earned eight of a possible 10 points on this home stand. First they will have to find a way to ground the Winnipeg Jets and their high-flying offense.
Two nights ago the Ducks doubled up the New York Rangers by a score of 6-3. It was a solid victory, but not exactly one the coaches could have enjoyed breaking down on film.
Anaheim played very little defense. The Rangers played less and that was the difference. New York out-shot Anaheim 44-31 and overcoming 1-0 and 2-1 deficits in the first period, thanks to Rick Nash and his ability to stand unimpeded in front of John Gibson.
For the second game in a row, Anaheim has allowed opposing players to set up shop in front of their cage. It killed them against San Jose and stung them versus New York. It will flat out burn them against the Jets.
I'm going off script or the national narrative and going off what I've seen of late. I truly feel like the Ducks can play with anyone when they are on their game. Anaheim has tremendous leadership and to a man they know how to win hockey games. The Ducks create their own problems when they get too cute or cut corners. Seems pretty basic, right? The team that makes less mistake wins. Simple enough. Yet Anaheim seems to be mistake prone from time to time and it usually ends up with a puck behind their goalie.
Here are my keys to tonight's game vs. Winnipeg...
- Make smarter passes. Be less casual with the puck. Too many times the Ducks bring the puck up ice and inexplicably make careless drop passes to open ice. Last time I checked, "ghost men" were something we used as kids when playing street baseball with less than enough players needed. The Ducks like to pass to "ghost men" and i'st never going to work. The Jets have a ton of team speed and strike quickly off the rush. Don't make it easier for them.
- Anaheim defenders must keep the front of the net clear, especially on the penalty kill. Opposing players have been allowed to set up camp in front of John Gibson without even a hint of a body on them. I'm pretty sure Rick Nash was roasting marshmallows over a campfire he made in the blue paint. That cannot continue to happen. The Ducks are often referred to as a big, heavy team. It's supposed to be hard to play against them. I want to see them live up to that reputation.
- Speaking of net front presence..... Why? Why can't the Ducks position anybody if front of their opponents net on the power play? I've seen Anaheim spend nearly an entire two minutes playing catch along the side boards and point without every setting up a body in front of the other goalie. How is that even possible? If an NHL goalie can see a puck, he can save a puck. How about trying to make him work for it?
- Keep Corey Perry on the fourth line. Perry had a goal and an assist in the last game following a line demotion. Perry looks aloof and lazy at times. I want him to work for the money he makes. He's a streaky player and with a little more effort he could get on a roll.
- Let Ryan Getzlaf play with everybody. The captain is such a special hockey player. He made two sensational stretch passes in the NY game to spring guys on breakaways. He can do it all. BUT, he is one of the guys that likes to play with "ghost men." If he cuts that out than he's golden in my book.
I'm sorry if there's not enough numbers in the blog for you guys, but sometimes you have to call it like you see it.
Thanks for reading, Steve