A month ago it looked like everything was slipping away from the Anaheim Ducks. The San Jose Sharks were hot and the Ducks, well, were not, and a once insurmountable division lead was gone.
Fast forward to last night....
Despite a bumpy road and a string of inconsistent performances, the Ducks managed to regain control of their own fate and seized the moment in front of excited and loud Honda Center crowd.
Thanks to a blossoming Patrick Maroon's two goals, John Gibson 36 saves in his second NHL start, and Corey Perry's 43rd goal of the season the Ducks clinched their second straight division title with a 5-2 victory against those pesky Sharks.
Anaheim put San Jose away with a three-goal third period to earn the first back-to-back division titles in franchise history. Anaheim also set club records with 112 standings points and 257 goals and all this happening during the teams 20th anniversary season.
The Ducks have been through so much. They have dealt with a non-stop parade of injuries, a poor power-play, the farewell to Teemu and whatever else has played a part in one of the most memorable regular season in club history.
But despite all the drama they are once again Division Champs and I can't help but believe they have a Stanley Cup run in them. I know it seems like a reach considering the goaltender issues and the teams recent inability to grab a lead from some of the NHL's doormats.
All that aside...this team is deep in all areas. They have excellent leaders. They can score. And when it has mattered the most, they have the goaltender or goaltenders to carry them far.
The playoffs are a whole different beast, as we witnessed last Spring, but at least Anaheim avoided the Kings in the first round and for now we can sit back and enjoy the last few games of the season knowing that at least one banner will be raised in Anaheim next fall.
Will any more be joining it?
To be continued....