Corey Perry on the Second Line – Should Bruce Boudreau Even Consider This?
We’re not exactly at the “Desperate times call for desperate measures” point, but it never hurts to think ahead!
If you read the title to this post and you’re looking to come in, fists raised, looking for a fight – relax!
I’m just spitballing here.
Having already documented the struggles of Anaheim’s Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf against the Chicago Blackhawks this season, I don’t want to go into too much depth on that topic here.
Suffice it to say that the Ducks’ two best players have not fared well against the Blackhawks in either the regular season or these playoffs so far. As every fairly-rational fan of the Anaheim Ducks should know, the team can only rely on its second and third lines of forward for so long; eventually, the Ducks’ two superstars are going to have to rise from the ashes if this squad wants to vanquish Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and the Blackhawks.
The question, then, is should Perry and Getzlaf be split up in the hopes of creating match-up problems for Chicago, and jump-starting one if not both of Anaheim’s forwards?
I’m aware that many fans will cry “Heresy!” at me for even suggesting the move, and it’s not like I am even saying this move HAS to get done. Anaheim’s second line of Ryan Kesler, Jakob Silfverberg and Matt Beleskey has exceeded everyone’s expectations this postseason, and oh yeah: the starting line of Getzlaf-Perry-Patrick Maroon has generated 13 goals, 22 assists, and a +22 rating.
So what am I smoking again?
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The past is the past, though – what worked in the first two series against Winnipeg and Calgary might not work against these Blackhawks. Swapping Perry for Silfverberg would still give Anaheim a dangerous first shift – Silfverberg is third on the team in scoring this postseason with 4-9-13, after all – while making Kesler’s line even more likely to find twine.
You don’t have to look far to see a team that separates its two best players – the Blackhawks rarely skate Toews and Kane together, and when they do, it’s usually a sign of desperation. Splitting your two best offensive options up keep the opposing D more honest, as it becomes impossible to simply focus on shutting one line down.
The Ducks have not faced an opponent this postseason who managed to shut Getzlaf-Perry-Maroon down yet, but I admit that I have toyed with the idea of splitting these two guys up in my head in an effort to outsmart Joel Quenneville. Instead of waiting until you almost HAVE to separate Getzlaf and Perry, why not throw a curveball at the ‘Hawks and do it, not out of necessity, but out of a desire to ignite a spark and perhaps deal a mortal wound to the enemy?
Just a thought.