OpEd: Opinion of Ed
*Disclaimer* Those of you who are regular readers of this column know by now that I will call out someone if the deserve it. You also know that I am a glass half full guy and try to be positive. Sometimes these things are in opposition and all bets are off.
Now that you have read the disclaimer, I will say the Ducks made a huge mistake with Ilya Bryzgalov. At this time in his career, he is not an NHL goalie. So far in his 80 minutes of on ice action with the Ducks, Bryz has surrendered eight goals.
There are plenty of excuses that can be made for him. The Ducks were being blown out in his first appearance in which he allowed two goals in seven shots during the third period in Toronto. Of course twice this season, Jason LaBarbera replaced an ineffective Frederik Anderson and played well enough to allow the Ducks to stage a come back.
Maybe Bryzgalov has the excuse that the Ducks were tired for his start Friday in Ottawa. After all it was their fifth straight road game and latter part of back to back games. It probably doesn't matter that Anaheim was 3-1 in the second part of back to backs entering the contest.
There are no excuses other than he isn't ready to be defending the goal. Even his coach didn't stick up for him. Bruce Boudreau told the Orange County Register, “It’s a tough spot but Freddie played 20 games in a row and it’s not like Bryz is a first-year player,… Boudreau said. “He knows what he’s done. He’s been practicing for two weeks. He’s played two games in the minors. Played the third period or more than a period and a bit in Toronto. He’s practiced. He should have been ready. And he should be ready.…
That reads as damning to me. Is Bryz better than LaBarbera or is he with the team based on his past accomplishments? Either way it doesn't matter, he's not an NHL goalie right now.
Player Updates
Corey Perry (knee) is skating with the team, but will not play tonight. Francois Beauchemin (thumb) is the same status as Perry. Hampus Lindholm (LBI) should play. Kyle Palmieri (shoulder) is progressing well in his recovery and may be back before the new year. Duck prospects Shea Theodore and Nick Ritchie are on Team Canada's final roster for the World Junior Championships.
Ducks host Sharks
The Ducks “welcome… division rivals the San Jose Sharks to the Honda Center tonight. San Jose enters the game on a five game winning streak. Even with their recent success, the Sharks are still seven points behind the Ducks. Devante Smith-Pelly, a late healthy scratch Friday, returns to the Anaheim lineup, supplanting Dany Heatley. Hampus Lindholm is also back after a one game absence, sending Colby Robak to the press box. Based on practice, here is tonight's expected lineup:
Forwards Maroon-Getzlaf-DSP Beleskey-Kesler-Etem Cogliano-Rakell-Silfverberg Bourque-Thompson-Jackman
Defensemen Fowler-Lovejoy Lindholm-Fistric Stoner-Vatanen
Goalies Andersen Bryzgalov
Upcoming on the Buzz
On Christmas Day 1914, in the middle of World War I, the British and Germans put down their weapons for Christmas. Kings writer, Jason Lewis, and I have declared a Christmas Truce as well. On December 24 and 25 we will be celebrating hockey in Southern California. One of us will post each day. I think you will find the content both fun and insightful. More details to follow in the next few days.
-Ed