The Anaheim Ducks lost...again. Only this time it was in regulation, therefore depriving the Ducks of the customary sympathy point we have all grown so accustomed to over the last week or so.
Toronto and former Ducks coach Randy Carlyle skated away with the 3-1 win. Anaheim didn't play awful. They just couldn't capitalize... on anything. They out shot the Leafs 44-23, but shots alone do not win hockey games. Before the game was even 25 minutes old the Ducks trailed 3-0.
Note to Bruce Boudreau: The game plan of falling behind by two or more goals and then storming back for the win is not working anymore. Time to try something else guys.
But, I digress.
Leafs' star Phil Kessel had a goal and assist and goalie Jonathan Bernier was a stud in net to earn the win. The former L.A. Kings stopped 43 of 44 shots to improve his record to 25-16-7. Toronto has won three in a row and moved into sole possession of second place in the Atlantic Division.
Meanwhile....
Corey Perry continued his hot play with his team leading 35th goal. It was Perry's fifth goal in the last four games. He remains one goal ahead of Kessel for second in the NHL in goal scoring.
Things are just not clicking for Anaheim right know, especially with the man advantage.
In the five games, all at home, since the Olympic break, the Ducks have just one power play goal in 19 chances. Not surprising, Anaheim is 2-1-2 during this stretch and are in danger of... A. ...falling farther behind the St. Louis Blues for the NHL top spot and; B. ...of losing their once insurmountable Pacific Division lead. The San Jose Sharks are 7-2-1 in the last 10 games and trail Anaheim by just four points in the standings. Each team has played a total of 65 games.
It's no secret the Ducks have had their ups and downs on the power play. I've written about it many times in my blog. In the early stages of the season, Anaheim was able to overcome these special teams deficiencies with great 5 on 5 play. Not anymore.
That seems like ages ago, because nowadays the wins aren't coming quite as easily or as often. By virtue of the 1 for 19 stretch in the past five games, the Ducks (17% PP) have dropped to 18th in the league with the man advantage. Hardly worthy of a top tier NHL club.
The other three division leaders are all in the top five for power play percentage. It almost seems absurd to still be writing about this 65 games into an 82 games schedule.
Throw in the fact that Anaheim's defense has been suspect of late and we have a recipe for another post-Olympic swoon. Are you worried yet?
Did the Ducks fail to address the power play struggles at the deadline and will the addition of Stephane Robidas help settle the defense down? Inquiring minds want to know.
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