Please excuse my brevity, I'm still having post-op issues.
Last night the Ducks won 2-1 over the San Jose Sharks in their final preseason “tuneup,… As mentioned in this space before, there isn't much that can be read from a game that doesn't count. However, on this occasion I stand corrected. The Ducks showed immense character and a “never say die… attitude that will greatly benefit the team as they enter regular season play later this week.
Trailing 1-0 with less than a minute to play in a game that didn't matter, the Ducks could have easily packed it in. Instead Ryan Kesler converted a Cory Perry pass to tie the score .
Question: What's worse than a meaningless game? Answer: A meaningless game that goes to overtime.
The last preseason game is for coaches to see who will get the last spot or two on the roster. More importantly, they don't want anyone to get hurt. These are even more reasons to just go through the motions and get to the end. The Ducks didn't do that. Coach Bruce Boudreau played his regulars in OT and they responded. Perry scored at 3:37, assisted by both his linemates Ryan Getzlaf and Patrick Maroon.
An argument could be made that the game didn't mean anything to the Sharks and they were the ones who gave in. That might be true, but the fact that the Ducks showed the heart and determination to pull out a come from behind win is a statement of character. The players wanted to win, the coach wanted to win and it was done in a dramatic fashion that sets the table for the regular season.
Of note Tim Jackman, Emerson Etem and Rickard Rackell played last night, William Karlsson did not. His inactivity does not bode well for Karlsson to make the team. If Karlsson is out, Rackell is in. It also means that Etem and Jackman were playing together on the same line while competing for the same job.
The Ducks expect both Cam Fowler and Dany Heatley to return from injury during the opening road trip. Kyle Palmieri's status is still up in the air.
Expect roster cuts within the next 48 hours.
-Ed