Seven straight. Friday night's win over Columbus was probably the most complete games the Ducks have played so far in this young season. It was one of those efforts coach Bruce Boudreau can look back on later in the season and say “this is how we do it.…
What went right
Defense! The D looked good. More importantly their errors were greatly diminished compared to previous efforts. A play here or there could be nitpicked, but overall it was a solid game from bell to bell. Fowler had a game that he can build on. Beuchemin was solid. Going forward, Sami Vatanen may be the catalyst that brings the power play to a top end level. Finally, Hampus Lindholm may not do anything specifically elite, but he does do everything extremely well.
Power Play. Although Vatanen scored a power play goal, for the first time in weeks some one else (Corey Perry) got one as well. Even when Vatanen isn't scoring, he makes terrific passes.
Youth is served. For a veteran heavy team that made the conference finals last year, an evolution to a younger group of players has not affected the on ice product. DSP is a good fit on the top line. His effort has been first rate and he has four points in his last five games. If he would have been able to score on a self hand pass from his belly early in the second period, it might have wound up as goal the goal of the year. As it turned out he just needed to wait a little longer in the period to convert on another opportunity. John Gibson, played a great game in goal. He played the game Ducks fans were holding their breath for. The one puck that went in was bounced off his own man from an odd angle and Gibson almost got there anyway.
Looking for Eight Straight
The rival San Jose Sharks invade the Honda Center as the Ducks go for their fifth straight win at home and eighth straight overall. Cam Fowler told Ducks.com that the team is ready for the challenge; “They’re always up there [in the standings] during the regular season and we seem to have some good, tight matches against them. We understand the test they’re going to give us, and it should be a good measuring stick for us to see where we’re at. Hopefully, we can come out with the same effort we have these last few games and, if we can do that, I like our chances.…
The Ducks lineup should be the same as Friday with the only exception being Frederik Andersen back in goal.
Forwards DSP-Getzlaf-Perry Cogliano-Kesler-Silfverberg Beleskey-Karlsson-Rakell Etem-Thompson-Jackman
Defense Fowler-Lovejoy Beauchemin-Lindholm Stoner-Vatanen
Goalie Andersen Gibson
Eight would be great!
-Ed