Ducks 8 Game Road Trip Is Crucial to Success
By Editorial Staff
The Ducks started their longest road trip of the season last night, where they lost 2-1 to the Detroit Red Wings in the shootout. It was an exciting game in which they should have won, but luck was clearly on the Wings side.
They were able to grab one point, which puts them 9 points out of the 8th seed playoff spot. The Ducks now have a possibility of 14 points on the road trip. I don’t expect them to win all 7, but I’m hoping for more wins than losses.
Lets take a quick look at who they’re playing this road trip:
2/12- Columbus Blue Jackets
The Jackets are dead last in the league and have no chances of making playoffs. If anything, this makes them “better”. What I mean is that they don’t NEED to win anything but can be the team that ruins playoff chances. The Ducks lost their last meeting with the Jackets.
2/14- Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild were just knocked out of the 8th playoff spot the other night. They are sitting at 11th and only need a few games to get right back into the run. They are one of the teams the Ducks must beat.
2/15- Pittsburgh Penguins
The Ducks first of five Eastern Conference teams they play on the road trip. If they were to lose, it would not effect the Ducks nearly as much. The pens are also stuck in a conference race, sitting in the 6th seed. They are only 3 points ahead of the 8th seed Toronto Maple Leafs. This will also be tough playing back-to-back games.
2/17 New Jersey Devils
The Devils are sitting 5th in the Eastern Conference. They are, like most teams, only a few lost games from being thrown out of the playoff race. They haven’t been giving up easily at all this season and it will be another tough game.
2/19- Florida Panthers
The Panthers are sitting 3rd in the Eastern Conference (even though they shouldn’t be). They have battling for their division lead against the Washington Capitals and are currently tied with points (61). The Panthers have been a great team so far this season.
2/21- Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning are the 13th seed and are currently 10 points out of a playoff spot. They don’t seem to have a great chance of making playoffs, but it is still possible. The Bolts, like the Ducks, need every point they can get.
2/23- Carolina Hurricanes
The Canes are last in the Eastern Conference. Their playoff chances are gone and they are in a similar situation with the Jackets. They can, and will, attempt to ruin a teams playoff chances.
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