The Anaheim Ducks are in a bit of a funk. They lost another game at home and were shutout for the first time this season.
The NHL's second highest scoring team has been putting up five spots with regularity. Just ask Hooter's. They are shelling out free wings on a regular basis because of this. Things weren't quite the same on Saturday night though.
Former Duck and perennial punch line, Dan Ellis, stymied his former mates with a superb 26 save effort. Ellis also beat the Ducks earlier in the season and is the only goalie to have two regulation wins against Anaheim this season.
Anaheim is now 4-4 since the 9-1 beat down on the Vancouver Canucks. In all four losses the Ducks have scored two goals or less and three of the losses have been at the Honda Center. Just two weeks ago, playing in that building meant an easy two points for the Ducks.
I have talked to several people recently that believe that the teams recent struggles are by design. Even Brent Severyn told Josh Brewster on last nights Ducks Calls show that he thinks Ryan Getzlaf has been taking shifts off over the last few games. The same Ryan Getzlaf that has been the bloodline and heart and soul of this team through its amazing first half run.
I'm not buying it. With the Olympic break just over the horizon it makes zero sense at all fr the team to take their foot off the gas. What purpose would that serve and how wouldn't benefit the team once the NHL resumes post break?
What do you think? Is this just a bumpy patch or an early Olympic siesta for the Anaheim Ducks?
Thanks for reading?