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The Anaheim Ducks are riding a three-game losing streak, as they continue to struggle this season.
The Ducks had picked up their first regulation win of the season over the New York Rangers last week and even though it required a great game from John Gibson, the hope was still that they’d be able to build some momentum afterwards.
This didn’t happen though, with a 5-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Friday, before battling back against the Seattle Kraken on Sunday, only to lose 5-4. Then last night, while the Ducks kept things competitive against the Nashville Predators in the first game of their road trip, they still gave up 41 shots and fell in overtime for their third straight loss.
So now 23 games into the season, the Ducks have managed just six wins and sit dead last in the NHL.
Their defense has been brutal, they’re averaging more than 37 shots against per game (which is the most in the NHL), and their penalty kill has been operating at a disastrous 66 per cent, which also sits last in the NHL.
Their offseason additions really haven’t worked out well, with John Klingberg as a complete liability defensively and neither Ryan Strome or Frank Vatrano providing the impact the organization had hoped for. Meanwhile, some established veterans like Jakob Silfverberg have basically been non-factors and even John Gibson, while showing flashes of great play and facing a huge workload, has still struggled at times this year.
In a year where they were looking to be more competitive, the season has gone about as poor as it possibly could have. However, there are some bright spots, in terms of Anaheim’s younger talent.
Troy Terry is proving last season certainly wasn’t a fluke, with 10 goals and 24 points in 23 games. Trevor Zegras has also continued to progress, with near point-per-game numbers at just 21 years old. Between the two of them, they’re once again leading the team in points by a large margin already.
Then aside from the duo, Mason McTavish is also having a really solid rookie season, despite the limited role. Between the three, they’ll make up half of the Ducks’ future long-term, top-six group for years to come.
As nice as it would’ve been to see the Ducks actually take a step this season, the reality was that it was going to be tough for them to get into the postseason. Dealing away both Hampus Lindholm and Josh Manson last season, while necessary, has had a huge impact on the defense group.
There’s also the reality that in a worst-case scenario where the Ducks do continue to have a miserable year and finish last in the league, they’ll be locked in for a top-three draft pick. With tons of top-end talent in this year’s draft, headlined by Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli, grabbing an elite forward will only help with building for the future.
Things haven’t gone according to plan, but this was never going to be the Ducks’ year to get close to contending, which does soften the blow. Hopefully, we do see some improvement but at least as of now, the young stars who the Ducks are counting on to carry them in the future look poised to do so.
Anaheim’s next game comes tomorrow, when they face the Dallas Stars.
OTHER ARTICLES FROM NOVEMBER
Islanders beat Blackhawks, extend winning streak to four games
Ducks fall to Canucks following high-scoring third period
Ducks battle back to beat Sharks in shootout
Ducks wrap up weekend back-to-back with loss to Panthers
Ducks allow four unanswered goals in loss to Wild
Ducks come up short against Blackhawks for third straight home loss
Ducks wrap up four-game homestand with overtime win against Red Wings
Kyle Connor's hat trick sinks Ducks in loss to Jets
Ducks give up six goals in loss to Blues
Ducks fall to Blues again for third straight loss 
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