Anaheim Ducks Best 3-on-3 Overtime Combinations

Feb 15, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Andrew Cogliano (7) celebrates with Anaheim Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm (right) and Anaheim Ducks center Rickard Rakell (left) during the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Honorable Mentions

There are so many different possibilities with 3-on-3 combinations that I had to throw out a few interesting and exciting ideas. You may not see these ones as frequently, but don’t be surprised if Bruce Boudreau fools around with some of these combinations.

Defensive Getzlaf

Ryan Getzlaf – Carl Hagelin – Andrew Cogliano

Imagine this, Ryan Getzlaf takes the face-off and then drops back to play defense with Cogliano and Hagelin as the two forwards. You have some incredible speed up front with a clear offensive attack in mind with Getzlaf playing defense.

Getzlaf has played the point on the power play quite often throughout his career and there have been a number of instances where he has been forced to defend a shorthanded attack by the opposing team. He has faired well in those situations and I bet he could even play defense for the Ducks at 5-on-5 if a number of injuries forced him to do so.

Getzlaf is such a smart two-way player that using him as a defensemen in the 3-on-3 is not a bad idea against a team with a struggling offense. If the Ducks need a goal and want to use some speed against a weaker opponent, this is not a bad option.

The “Third Line” Option

Rickard Rakell – Andrew Cogliano – Cam Fowler

Rickard Rakell has a great offensive skill-set and will get his fair share of opportunities during the 3-on-3 overtime. Pairing him with Cogliano and Fowler gives the Ducks three elite skaters who can all use their speed to create a counter attack.

This combo could be used more often than the previous one and the skating ability of Rakell, Cogliano and Fowler could result in some beautiful game winners.

The Swedish Trio

Rickard Rakell – Jakob Silfverberg – Hampus Lindholm

Just because I would love to see these three Swedes on the ice together during the 3-on-3.

It is also not a bad option. Great skill to go along with great skating and playmaking ability. All three are pretty reliable defensively which makes this a safe play and eliminates the risk factor. C’mon Bruce, let the Swedes play!

Next: 5- The Speedy Option

May 20, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Rangers left wing Carl Hagelin (62) during the second period of game three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

5- The Speedy Option 

Andrew Cogliano – Carl Hagelin – Cam Fowler

Cogliano has experience as a center-men from his days with the Oilers and this is an option that gives the Ducks some serious speed. Fowler’s great skating ability would really compliment the two forwards.

I threw out the idea of a Getzlaf, Cogliano and Hagelin combo, but with Fowler, this is the more logical and safe option. Using Fowler would allow for an obvious defensive presence if the speed of Cogliano and Hagelin backfires and leads to an opposing odd man rush. Fowler’s skating ability could really work well with a ton of speed up front.

Acquiring the speedy Hagelin in the offseason will directly benefit the Ducks during 3-on-3 play.

Next: 4- Star Power

February 27, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) celebrates his goal scored with defenseman Cam Fowler (4), center Ryan Kesler (17) and center Ryan Getzlaf (15) against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

4- Star Power 

Ryan Kesler – Corey Perry – Ryan Getzlaf

This is another situation where Getzlaf plays the role of a defensemen. With Kesler on the ice however, it is more logical than the Cogliano, Hagelin and Getzlaf idea. This Getzlaf, Kesler, Perry combo is one that I guarantee you will see if the Ducks are really making a push and want to be aggressive.

This is a combo that will be used heavily against a weaker opponent. However, Kesler is such a strong defensive minded player that this is barely a gamble using three forwards. I imagine Boudreau using these three together quite often as Kesler and Getzlaf are two of the Ducks best defensive minded forwards. This is an exciting combination.

Next: 3- An Obvious Choice

Jan 14, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) celebrates with defenseman Sami Vatanen (45) after scoring a goal for a hat trick during the third period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Honda Center. The Anaheim Ducks won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

3- An Obvious Choice 

Ryan Getzlaf – Corey Perry – Sami Vatanen

This is another combo that you will see. One of the games most exciting young offensive minded defensemen in Vatanen will be paired with the twins. This is instant offense and would allow for the Ducks to have a ton of skill on the ice in hopes to end the game quickly.

Vatanen is a very gifted offensive talent but his skating ability is not the best that the Ducks have to offer. If this combo gets over aggressive (AKA if Vatanen gets too over aggressive like he has done before), it could lead to some opposing breakaways and the Ducks could find themselves losing some games in overtime because of it.

Any combo containing Getzlaf and Perry is a great one, but with Vatanen this is not the best that the Ducks have to offer.

Next: 2- The Second Line

Sep 25, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Kesler (17) and right wing Jakob Silfverberg (33) celebrate a goal in the third period of the game against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. Kings won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

2- The “Second Line” 

Ryan Kesler – Jakob Silfverberg – Hampus Lindholm

Kesler and Silfverberg developed a strong chemistry last season and it showed throughout the playoffs. Getzlaf and Perry will obviously be the Ducks top offensive choice in the 3-on-3 overtime, but the duo of Kesler and Silfverberg is a “1B” type of choice. This is a very defensively reliable option as Kesler and Silfverberg are used heavily on the Ducks penalty kill.

This is a “shut down” type of combination. If Toews and Kane, Crosby and Malkin or Gaudreau and Monahan are on the ice, don’t be surprised if you see Kesler and Silfverberg on the ice to counter.

Lindholm will probably be the Ducks best defensive option in the 3-on-3 due to his size, hockey IQ and great skating ability. In a “shut down” type of role, Lindholm could really shine in the 3-on-3 with his incredible skating ability and unique instinct to pick the correct times to join the rush.

Next: 1- The Best Option

Mar 22, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) celebrates scoring a goal with defenseman Hampus Lindholm (47) against the New York Rangers during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

1- The Best Option 

Ryan Getzlaf – Corey Perry – Hampus Lindholm

This is the clear number one option for the Ducks in the 3-on-3 overtime. Getzlaf and Perry are one of the leagues top dynamic duos and they seem to have a telepathic connection when on the ice together. You are going to see some dazzling plays from the two during the 3-on-3.

Again, Lindholm is the Ducks best defensive option for the 3-on-3 and using him in this situation as opposed to Fowler or Vatanen really allows for Getzlaf and Perry to be overly aggressive offensively. Lindholm’s positioning is incredible. If you go back and watch any game from this past season, you will almost never see Lindholm out of position. It was often his partner, Francois Beauchemin, who was out of position leaving Lindholm to fend off a 2-on-1.

Lindholm almost always chooses the correct moments to join the rush and he is not as overly aggressive as Vatanen and he doesn’t turn the puck over as much as Fowler, Lindholm is the safe and steady play. This combo should be used often and I think the majority of the Ducks overtime goals would occur with Getzlaf, Perry and Lindholm playing together.

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