The Anaheim Ducks can do it all and on Thursday night the Philadelphia Flyersmwitnessed first hand exactly what I mean.
The 40-11-5 Ducks used an even strength goal from the fourth line, goals from its two biggest stars, a shorthanded goal and an empty net goal to dispatch the visiting Flyers 5-3. Anaheim improved to 22-2-2 at Honda Center and put to rest my silly notion that perhaps the team was starting to hit a wall.
The Flyers tried to match wits and skill with the Ducks, but it was not meant to be. Anaheim out hit, out blocked, out shot Philadelphia. It was another reminder that this Ducks team is as balanced as it is deep.
The biggest play of the game came with the Ducks clinging to a 3-2 lead in the third period with the Flyers on the power play. Saku Koivu intercepted a Kimo Timonen pass attempt which sprung he and Daniel Winnik on a 2 on 1 shorthanded rush. Winnik took Koivu's pass and sniped it top shelf. The play was huge and it deflated the surging Flyers.
Rookie goalie Freddie Andersen made 27 save for his 14th win in 16 starts.
The Ducks are where they are because they can do it all and do it all better than everybody else. Only injuries can derail this team and Anaheim has had plenty of them up to this point and a leaky damn can only support so much before it finally bursts.
***
Nick Bonino left Thursdays game with an upper-body injury and is listed as day-to-day. Bonino has been one of the Ducks most consistent forwards and one of those unsung heroes that means more to his team than just numbers in a box score.
***
Anaheim has just four games left before the three week Olympic break. The break looms large because Anaheim has a good thing going and any extended layoff could prove costly. I really hope that everybody comes back healthy and with an eye on that bright shiny prize.
We can talk more about that later. For now let's focus on finishing strong and with a purpose.
Thanks for reading!
***
In case you missed yesterdays fun facts blog!
*** Follow me on Twitter! @StevePalumboHTW
On Facebook at StevePalumboNHL
Email me at StevePalumboNHL@gmail.com