Anaheim Ducks Must Find A Way To Win In Regulation
By Kayla Demint
@kaylademint
Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
The Anaheim Ducks had a stellar month of October to begin the 2014-15 season. After dropping the first game to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim went on to win seven in a row. In total, the Ducks had a 9-3-0 record in October, allowing them to climb to the top of the NHL league standings.
Then November came around, which has been a far cry from that great start for a Ducks team that is used to success. In eight games so far this month, the Ducks have a record of 2-1-5, a stark difference from their league-leading record in October. The main issue seems to be that the Ducks cannot finish a full 60 minutes of play as six of the last eight games have gone into overtime, with four of those going into a shootout. Of those six, Anaheim has only won one game in overtime and one in a shootout.
The only good news in this scenario is that while the team is losing, each loss has come with a point allowing them to remain somewhat on top of the standings — still first in the Pacific Division.
It is worth noting that injury and illness has swept through the Anaheim locker room, though in no way does this excuse the way the Ducks have been playing as of late. Many teams have suffered injuries and illness, but it is in the times of trial that a team shows its depth, something of vital importance in any run for the Stanley Cup.
Corey Perry missed five games, finally coming back on Sunday in a game against the Florida Panthers that the Ducks lost 6-2 in a poor display. He has yet to score a goal. Kyle Palmieri is back in the lineup as well. Francois Beauchemin remains out, as do Ben Lovejoy, John Gibson and Devante Smith-Pelly, though Beauchemin and Smith-Pelly are expected back Thursday.
If the Ducks want to remain at least somewhere near the top, the team has got to find a way to close out games in regulation. In four of the six going into overtime, Anaheim has given up at least a one-goal lead. The Ducks will play the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday. In the teams’ one meeting this season, the Canucks beat Anaheim in a shootout after the Ducks gave up a one-lead — which seems to be the story thus far in November.
Kayla Demint is an Anaheim Ducks writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter, Like her on Facebook or add her to your network on Google.
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