After getting torched for 10 goals in the last two games, both losses, the Anaheim Ducks have to find a way to move forward and save what had otherwise been an outstanding season.
To a man the Ducks admitted they were embarrassed by the 7-2 beat down they received from the Calgary Flames the other night. It was easily Anaheim's worst loss this season and comes at a time when the Ducks Need to be playing their best hockey.
Andrew Cogliano was candid and honest when he said, "we played like (poo poo)," in an interview following the debacle in Alberta.
I usually try and keep these blogs positive, but even I was embarrassed by the loss. Now I wonder if tho team is even good enough to win a playoff round, let alone the Stanley Cup.
The only positive I could find was that both Cogliano and Nick Bonino scored a goal. Neither has been very good lately. The duo has combined for four goals in the previous 10 games. The Ducks will need more production from them down the stretch if they are to turn things around and preferably not when they are down by four or five goals.
To lose like they did to Calgary, the Western Conferences' second-worst team was embarrassing enough. But this is a team that had been an easy two points for the Ducks over the last few seasons and Anaheim looked like they didn't even belong on the same sheet of ice.
Jonas Hiller game up three goals on only five shots before being pulled for an equally less effective Freddie Andersen.
The power play is a real concern and has become a liability. Not only can they not score with the man advantage, but now they can't even keep from being scored on when up by man. Two of Calgary's goals were shorthanded. Yes, the Ducks were minus-2 on the power play! How doe that happen?
No more crying about it.
Anaheim is in a dogfight with the San Jose Sharks for the Pacific Division crown. The inter-state rivals are tied for the division lead with 93 points. The Ducks do have one game in hand though.
Remember when the division was a lock and the Ducks were chasing a Presidents Trophy? Yeah.... Me neither.
It's time for the leaders of this team to stand up and be counted. It's all fun and games until a little adversity comes and smacks you square in the mouth. Ryan Getzlaf was an MVP candidate for most of the season. It's almost as if the Gold Medal sucked the life out of him. This team can go as far as Getzlaf can carry them. When he is not right, the team is not right.
It's obvious head coach Bruce Boudreau senses the severity of the situation. Per Eric Stephens, he ran the morning practice himself and shuffled all the defensive pairs. Yup, this is serious. Anaheim has moved beyond a slump and into 'trouble ahead' mode.
BB mostly lets assistants run the morning skates and watches from bench. He's on ice today. Selanne to skate with Getzlaf and Perry.
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) March 14, 2014Changes may take place in d-pairings. Sbisa with Beauchemin and Allen with Lindholm. Cogliano-Koivu-Winnik also back together.
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) March 14, 2014Life doesn't get any easier for Anaheim. They have two huge games with Colorado and Los Angeles tonight and tomorrow before facing Washington and San Jose at the Shark Tank.
First things first...win tonight. The Avalanche are white hot and show no signs of slowing down, especially a t home where they are 23-9-3. They have won two in a row and seven of the last 10 games.
Hold onto your hats. It will be Semyon Varlamov (33-12-5) vs. Jonas Hiller (26-10-6) tonight between the pipes.
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