Anaheim Ducks forward Corey Perry is one of his teams biggest stars. The former 50-goal scorer is arguably one of the NHL's biggest stars. So why all of the sudden is he being compared to some of the league's biggest pests?
During the Ducks 3-1 loss in game two of their second round series with the Kings, Perry took a shot to the crotch courtesy of goalie Jonathan Quick. The punch was in retaliation to Perry going hard to the net on more than one occasion. QUick took exception and let his fists do the talking for him.
Earlier in the game Mr. Perry filled Jeff Carter's glove with water, unbeknownst to the Kings forward. Carter was none too pleased about that either...obviously.
Suddenly, outlets from the Hockey News to Deadspin are calling Perry a pest, punk and scoundrel. Suddenly he's walking the fine line between offensive weapon and outright liability.
Perry does have a bit of a reputation and speckled a history of provoking the opposition. He's known to take an ill-timed penalty or two and he does tend to lose his cool when his team needs him to stay focused on the task at hand.
I get all that, but he is no pest.
There is a method to Perry's madness. At east I have to think that there is. He can get into his opponents head both offensively and physically and if he puts a little water in a glove than so be it. Right? If just for that second Carter was less focused on hockey than Perry did his job. And if Quick has retaliation on his mind then maybe he losses his focus and lets a softy in. Right?
I'm OK with that.
The problem I have with Perry is that he's not producing offensively and he's still doing this. He has seven points through the Ducks eight playoffs games, but only two goals and none since game 5 of the Dallas series.
Anaheim needs his offense now. As a team they have scored just three goals in two games versus the Kings, both losses, with the series shifting to Staples Center. They need to break out in game 3 or they will be done before the series can get back to Anaheim.
What do you think? Is Perry crossing the line or Corey just being Corey>
Thanks for reading!