Anaheim Ducks Will Look To Build Off Of A Much Better November

By Griffin Foster | Dec 1, 2015

The Anaheim Ducks would like to forget about the month of October all together as their play in the month of November showed their true colors.

October was not kind to the Anaheim Ducks. The team that came within one game of reaching the stanley cup finals last season began this season with a 1-7-1 record. November was a turnaround month as the Ducks bounced back, proving that it was just a shaky start that led to that horrid October record.

For the Ducks, November was a month that showed their shaky start was a thing of the past. While November did present struggles and inconsistencies, it was altogether a month that the Ducks can build off of to re-solidify their place as a stanley cup contender.

November started on a high note, wins against Nashville, Florida, Columbus and San Jose gave the Ducks their first winning streak of the season. However inconsistent play came shortly after as the Ducks would crumble late in the following two games, giving up a point in each as they were beat in overtime by Arizona and Edmonton.

A four game east coast road trip brought along stronger play. Despite finishing the trip with a .500 record, the Ducks were getting back on track and playing a much better all around game.

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Towards the end of the month, that all around better play lasted for about 55 minutes in the Chicago game as the Ducks gave up a two goal lead late, losing to the reigning champs in an all too familiar fashion. It appeared to be a loss that could crush the Ducks spirits, but a corrected 60 minute effort set things back on track.

The Ducks were dominant against Vancouver on November’s final day. From start to finish it was apparent that the Ducks knew the adjustments that had to be made, they dug deep to refocus which allowed them to put on one of their strongest 60 minute efforts of the season.

A 4-0 win ended November on a high note and presents promising signs heading into December.

An 8-4-3 November record is on par with a 103 point pace, something we’ve been accustomed to seeing in Anaheim over recent years. It leads to believe that the Ducks will continue stronger and more consistent play moving forward.

The Ducks also began to control games far more often. 53.3% possession in the month of November is a strong number considering they played in three sets of back-to-backs, one of which came on the four game east coast road trip.

The penlaty kill remained dominant and still sits atop the league, but it is the power play that has done a full 360.

The Ducks man advantage now sits 15th in the league. The power play went 11-41 in the month of November, 26.8%. This is a vast improvement and it seems that Paul MacLean is finally getting around to these guys.

If the Ducks keep this up, their special teams will become lethal as it’s hard to beat a team that can kill penalties and put pucks in the net on the power play.

The scoring turnaround this month was also huge and largely attributed to the Ducks leaders stepping up. After Hampus Lindholm and Mike santorelli led the Ducks in points through the month of October, Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Ryan Kesler took charge in November.

After returning from an emergency appendectomy in early Novemeber, Getzlaf went on a tear, his 14 assists lead not only the Ducks, but the entire NHL since his return.

Corey Perry found his scoring touch and Sami Vatanen finally got going as well. Ryan Kesler picked things up towards the end of the month and was the Ducks best player in the shutout victory against Vancouver Monday night.

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The most promising sign however was 22 year old Rickard Rakell, who was moved up to the top line where he soent the second half of the month playing left wing next to Getzlaf and Perry. Rakell has nine points on the season now and has found a home on the top line, a spot that allowed him to showcase his skill and play with the puck far more often.

The new looked third line of Hagelin–Horcoff–Cogliano was put together during the middle of the month and they have shined ever since, proving to be the Ducks most effective forecheking line every single night.

After a shaky start playing next to Kevin Bieksa, Hampus Lindholm really began to turn things around towards the end of the month, playing two of his better games recently against Chicago and Vancouver.

Cam Fowler continues to shine and Josh Manson is maturing at an alarming rate as well.

Above all, the Ducks enter December on a much healthier note.

Nate Thompson looks read to go and could play as early as tomorrow against the Lightning or Friday against the Sharks. Jiri Sekac is ramping up the skating intensity and his ankle looks much better, he should return soon.

Simon Despres is still suffering from lingering concussion issues, but it is just a matter of time before he begins to skate and a December return is not out of question.

With a decision coming soon on the fate of rookie Nick Ritchie, December will also present some roster decisions for Bob Murray. Ritchie picked up his first NHL point against Vancouver.

While November was much kinder to the Ducks, there are still plenty of things that must be corrected.

Next: Ducks Lack of 60 Minute Effort Shows Identity Crisis

60 minute efforts must be a constant focus as one strong game against Vancouver does not fix the Ducks consistency issues. Stringing together four or five 60 minute efforts in a row is what will get the Ducks consistency back on track.

The Ducks must also not forget their identity this holiday season. There will be plenty of holiday cheer throughout Southern California, but not when the puck drops. The Ducks must continue to play like bats out of hell and use their tenacious forecheck consistently. They were overly physical against Vancouver and it gave them the result they were looking for.

The Ducks must also continually strive for special teams success. Their penalty kill has been phenomenal and they must pride themselves on that and not get complacent when one of their top penalty killers, Nate Thompson, returns to the lineup.

On the power play, the Ducks must build off of what they have had success with recently. They now sit in the middle of the league on the power play and their December goal should be to creep up near the top 10.

Next: Decision Coming Soon On Rookie Nick Ritchie

Overall, the Ducks have plenty to learn from the month of November. They can be thankful for a subpar pacific division and the new playoff format is heavily swinging in their favor after their slow start.

What should the Ducks be asking for this christmas? Health, because if they play the way the did at their peaks in November, they’ll win a lot of games with injured players returning in December.

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