When I was in college a friend of mine would quote his dad when he came up on a tough situation.
“I don't know whether to crap (edited) or go blind. Maybe I'll just close one eye and fart.…
Last night's loss in Calgary, feels like the Ducks are in a similar dilemma. Things definitely aren't good, but they could be much worse. For every positive the Ducks have it seems like there is a negative right around the corner and vice-versa.
Anaheim jumped out to a two goal lead and probably should have won in the Saddledome. They didn't win, but still got a point. Sami Vatanen had three points in the game which is as much as all the forwards combined. Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Emerson Etem, the top line was an ugly -8 for the contest. What the heck is going on?
The Ducks have won exactly one game out of eight this month in regulation, yet they still earned nine points in that span. Aside from the Panther debacle, this team has fought in every game, but heart can't overcome the attrition the Ducks have gone through in recent weeks.
Getzlaf's line was on the ice two times when Anaheim defensemen gave the puck away, so the -8 is forgivable. Calgary is a fast and opportunistic team that capitalized on Duck mistakes in the offensive zone. The Ducks defense has been terrible as of late and Bryan Allen in particular has been far below par.
It is becoming clear that Allen has lost something since last year. Maybe it has to do with his injury to start the season, but he looks a step slower than everyone else. Little known rookie Josh Manson is playing much better better than the veteran Allen is. The coaching staff must think so; last night Manson played almost 23 minutes compared with Allen's 15. Also, I have no idea why Allen plays on the Duck penalty kill. He is often out of position and has played much smaller than his 6' 5…, 223lb frame. For all the flak Clayton Stoner has taken, his acquisition looks like genius when the idea that Allen, on a healthy Ducks squad, would be the sixth defenseman.
Back to the conundrum.
With the exception of Ben Lovejoy, none of the skaters has suffered a major injury so far. Unfortunately, the “little… things are adding up. Perry and Beauchemin miss games with the mumps. Devante Smith-Pelly goes on short term IR with a nagging shoulder. Guys get the flu, etc. The net result is that players who should be in the press box or getting limited minutes are forced into larger roles for extended periods of time and eventually get they exposed for their weaknesses.
The injury situation puts the coaches and management in a tough spot. Although the defense has been porous, there is no need to acquire someone else right now. Beauchemin should be back soon and the Ducks are 10-3-0 when he's in the lineup. Lovejoy is a few weeks away, Anaheim was 8-2-0 when he played. Still the recent poor play can't be overlooked.
Allen has to sit out. Mat Clark played pretty well during his one game call up. He can't do much worse and the longer Allen plays, the more his trade value declines. Anaheim forwards need to pick up their physicality. If the puck in the Ducks zone is a problem, then the amount of times it gets there has to decrease. There are enough hard hitters on this team to give opponents second thoughts about digging for loose pucks and playing along the boards.
John Gibson
Yesterday, there was quite a “to do… about Gibson's injury and the team signing Martin Brodeur. In fact, during the #ducksqs segment on KLAA between the second and third periods; Dan Wood and Steve Carroll were asked about Brodeur. They answered that even if the situation would arise where the Ducks would need another goalie, Marty is not on the short list of replacements.
I checked with a source I trust and was told that Gibson's injury is not any more serious than thought and he should be back on schedule.
Pascal Dupuis
Earlier today the Pittsburgh Penguins announced that winger Pascal Dupuis will be out for six months with a blood clot in his lung. Thankfully it was caught early. A pulminary embolism is serious, but very treatable. Best wishes on a speedy recovery.
- Ed