Anaheim Ducks weekly roundup, week of Dec. 8th-Dec. 14th
2-1 Ducks victory over the lowly Oilers.
The Ducks are the best team in the league as far as points and talent go, The Oilers are the complete opposite, a perennial cellar dweller who loses almost every game. What I previously stated does not make sense if you look at this score, however when you find out that the last 12 victories by the Ducks have been by a single goal, it starts to make more sense, The Ducks just feel comfortable in that position apparently. Anaheim played their best in the last 3 minutes when they were dominant in holding their one goal lead. Freddy Andersen had a good performance saving 21 out of 22 shots but former Ducks Goalie Viktor Fasth was a big reason why his team was involved in this game saving 32 out of 34 shots that the Ducks sent his way. Beleskey continued his career year with his 14th goal which was a beauty between the circles as a result of a Palmieri and Rakell down low play that got to Beleskey who was positioned perfectly. Ryan Kesler put the Ducks ahead for good with a second period power play goal. The only blemish on the score sheet tonight was a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins unassisted goal early in the third. The Ducks should beat up on teams like Edmonton but this being their 5th straight victory, I think they will take it and gain further confidence. The win puts the Ducks 4 points ahead of The Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference.
Ducks sweep home and home with Oilers: 4-2 W
Tonight marked the return of Defenseman Ben Lovejoy which is good news considering how much the D corps has been plagued this season and brings a veteran presence and good puck moving player back to the lineup. Lovejoy made his mark on the score sheet with an assist on a Ryan Getzlaf goal. Along with Getzlaf in the goal column were Sami Vatanen, Kyle Palmieri, and Nate Thompson who added a relieving empty netter to avoid a 13th straight 1 goal win. Anaheim chased Viktor Fasth after scoring 3 goals on 12 shots and Scrivens made 7 saves in relief. Andersen improved to 16-4-4 on the season after making 21 saves on 23 shots. Jeff Petry and Tyler Pitlick scored for the Oilers who lost their 18th regulation game of the season and continue to be the laughing stock of the league and are looking at their 4th top 5 pick in the last 5 years and perhaps the first overall pick, and if that is Connor McDavid he should consider taking a page out of Eric Lindros' book from the 90s and refuse to sign or even put their sweater on come draft day. Nate Thompson's Empty netter seems meaningless but it must have felt good to seal a victory and not have to wait until the clock hits zero.
Ducks win their 7th straight, a 4-1 victory over Winnipeg
The Ducks fell behind 11:28 into the first period due to a Bryan Little power play goal, but from there on out it was all Anaheim, scoring 4 unanswered goals on their way to a 7th victory in a row. Jakob Silfverberg put the Ducks on the board with a power play goal 6:15 into the second followed a couple minutes later by a Ryan Getzlaf goal which was an absolute snipe the circles after Pat Maroon fed him the puck and Tim Jackman getting the secondary assist, the tough guy doing a good job filling in on the first line. Late in the second Getzlaf fed Nate Thompson from behind the net for a beautifully executed Short handed tally and Cogliano capped of the game with an empty netter late in the final frame. Andersen was his usual self, saving 27 shots off of 28 attempts and earning his 17th victory of the season, getting a ton of work this year due to several injuries to his backups and also earning the starting job off of stellar play. The Ducks have a few days off but they are looking really good, they never looked back after giving up the Bryan Little goal and scoring in all situations, even strength, man down and power play. Getzlaf is showing why he is the captain and one of the best centers in the league right now with 4 points in his last 2 games.
Footnotes
Corey Perry has been out for the past 4 games and will continue to be left off of the lineup for the next 3 weeks while recovering from his left knee sprain. Corey Perry is tied for the team lead with 14 goals in just 23 games, his presence and pure goal scoring ability has been missed but made up for by committee.
Ilya Bryzgalov was brought up from the minors to back up Freddy Andersen after being signed to a 1 year contract last week.
Dany Heatley was also brought up after being sent down for a conditioning assignment, Heatley has been left out of the lineup for much of the year due to scratches and injuries.
Ducks win their 7th straight, a 4-1 victory over Winnipeg
The Ducks fell behind 11:28 into the first period due to a Bryan Little power play goal, but from there on out it was all Anaheim, scoring 4 unanswered goals on their way to a 7th victory in a row. Jakob Silfverberg put the Ducks on the board with a power play goal 6:15 into the second followed a couple minutes later by a Ryan Getzlaf goal which was an absolute snipe the circles after Pat Maroon fed him the puck and Tim Jackman getting the secondary assist, the tough guy doing a good job filling in on the first line. Late in the second Getzlaf fed Nate Thompson from behind the net for a beautifully executed Short handed tally and Cogliano capped of the game with an empty netter late in the final frame. Andersen was his usual self, saving 27 shots off of 28 attempts and earning his 17th victory of the season, getting a ton of work this year due to several injuries to his backups and also earning the starting job off of stellar play. The Ducks have a few days off but they are looking really good, they never looked back after giving up the Bryan Little goal and scoring in all situations, even strength, man down and power play. Getzlaf is showing why he is the captain and one of the best centers in the league right now with 4 points in his last 2 games.
Corey Perry has been out for the past 4 games and will continue to be left off of the lineup for the next 3 weeks while recovering from his left knee sprain. Corey Perry is tied for the team lead with 14 goals in just 23 games, his presence and pure goal scoring ability has been missed but made up for by committee.
Ilya Bryzgalov was brought up from the minors to back up Freddy Andersen after being signed to a 1 year contract last week.
Dany Heatley was also brought up after being sent down for a conditioning assignment, Heatley has been left out of the lineup for much of the year due to scratches and injuries.
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