Ducks 2, Oilers 1 The Ducks picked up their fifth straight win last night. Anaheim dominated play but still found a way to keep Edmonton in the game. There were so many missed opportunities by the Ducks. Yet they won to remain hockey's version of Florida State football. The score probably should have been 15-0. You could see how big a hole the absence of Cory Perry leaves. Open nets were missed, passes were slightly off target, etc. Perry isn't the messiah, but the inch or two between a good pass and one that doesn't get to where it needs to be is something he makes when he has the puck or can compensate when its coming to him.
Its time to end the Rene Bourque on the first line experiment. To paraphrase Austin Powers “Its just not his bag, baby.… The second line of Matt Beleskey, Ryan Kesler and Kyle Palmieri has to stay together. Therefor the best remaining option is Patrick Maroon. He had some chemistry when he played with the captain earlier this season. If not Maroon, maybe Cogliano or even shifting Silfverberg to his off side.
Shuffling the Deck
This afternoon the Ducks announced some roster moves.
Josh Manson was sent to Norfolk. That would seem to be an indicator that Ben Lovejoy is ready to come back. On the whole, Manson played well in his debut over the past month or so. He was thrown into a difficult situation, but kept his head and looked like he belonged in the NHL. He will be back. Colby Robak and Marc Fistric will share the 6th/7th defenseman duties. When Francois Beuchemin returns in a month, one of the two will go.
Dany Heatley was sent to Norfolk as well. This move is labeled as a “long term injury loan.… Of course the bigger news on Heatley came yesterday when coach Bruce Boudreau told the L.A. Times that the left wing had a previously undisclosed surgery on his groin last month. In the internet news era, its hard to believe that a surgical procedure to an NHL player could be kept a secret. Then again it could be an indication of Heatley's relevance.
Jason LaBarbera was activated from Injured Reserve. For the time being (i.e. until Bryzgalov is ready) he will back up Frederik Andersen. Labarbera's activation led to Igor Bobkov's demotion...to Utah of the ECHL.
Yandle
Arizona defenseman Keith Yandle is allegedly on the market. I like the guy and Brian Burke has no voice in this one. Can Bob Murray get two all-star caliber players from two different teams in the same division this year?
-Ed