Tough Start
So far the east coast trip has been awful for the Ducks. Tonight's contest in Boston won't be an easier, but more on that in a bit. There is an issue with the Ducks that should be addressed. Its one of extremes. The Ducks are a very, very good team. They do many things well, actually better than most other teams, however they seem to flounder against teams that play certain aspects of the game very well.
Example 1 – Sunday Night
The Ducks collectively are a pretty fast team. Most nights speed isn't an issue. Sunday night speed was the issue; they are not faster than the Rangers. The Rangers out-skated Anaheim all night and made Anaheim look a step slow.
Example 2 – Tuesday Night
This season the Ducks have picked it up their physical play. Compare this season's Ducks – Kings clashes to last season's and the Ducks progress in clearly visible. Unfortunately, against a team like Columbus that wants to go out and beat up people on the ice, the Ducks don't matchup.
You might be saying to yourself, and rightfully so, the Ducks bring a lot to the table and whatever aspects of the game they aren't elite in are offset by other areas in which they are. It's true except for some equalizers that aren't physical, but mental.
Taking 33% Off How can the Ducks play so well in the first and third periods, yet be so inept in the second period? If I could answer that, I'd be behind the bench tonight. A good place to start would be to identify who is taking the second period off and let them sit on the bench for most of those 20 minutes while their teammates fight it out on the ice.
Beating Yourself
“We have met the enemy and he is us,… is a quote Vin Scully is fond of. There have been many times when the Ducks were clearly the better team on the ice, but bad giveaways and needless penalties kept the opposition in the contest.
No Knockout Punch
How many times have the Ducks taken a two goal lead only to give it up. Another aspect of losing focus. A few years back I was listing to a Canucks game on the radio and they were putting a beat down on their opponent. Colorman Tom Larsheid said something that night which has stuck with me. “When you have a sucker by the throat, you don't let go.… That's a lesson the Ducks need to learn and fast.
To go far in the playoffs, the Ducks need to correct these areas of weakness. Anaheim has the tools and the talent; but if not corrected, they may get an early outster.
Shipping up to Boston to Find Our Playoff Legs
There are a few surprises tonight for the Ducks. The first is that James Wisniewski will be a healthy scratch. Maybe it isn't that big of a shock considering he is -4 since coming back to Anaheim. To be somewhat fair coach Bruce Boudreau has been rotating his defensemen, but its unlikely Hampus Lindholm will sits until the last game or two of the season.
The are surprises up front as well. Boston native Chris Wagner draws into the lineup and will play on the fourth line. Also, Jiri Sekac moves up to the top line with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. Therefore Tomas Fleischmann and Emerson Etem will join Wiz in the pressbox.
Frederik Andersen is back in goal for the first time since allowing four goals in seven shots during the first 10 minutes against the Rangers. Andersen has been a shadow of himself since returning from his neck injury. For Boston tonight is like a playoff game as they struggle to make the post-season. A good showing in this game would help make his case to be the Ducks number one goalie again. Here is your expected lineup:
Forwards Sekac-Getzlaf-Perry Beleskey-Kesler-Palmieri Maroon-Rakell-Sifverberg Cogliano-Thompson-Wagner
Defensemen Beauchemin-Lindholm Despres-Fowler Stoner-Vatanen
Goalies Andersen Gibson
-Ed
PS – Jared Boll received a three game suspension for his head shot to the Ducks Patrick Maroon on Tuesday night. For those of you who have never seen an explanation of an NHL suspension, this one is a good example.