January 4, 2012; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Saku Koivu (11) moves the puck against the San Jose Sharks during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

This week included just two games against division rivals San Jose and Los Angeles. The day after Christmas, the Ducks hosted the Sharks and got on board first with a goal from Sheldon Souray. The Sharks answered with two goals in the second, but the Ducks got the next three from Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Saku Koivu. With a 4-2 lead with less than seven minutes left, the Ducks looked to be well in control. However, the Sharks scored three more to finish off the late comeback and give the Ducks a disappointing 5-4 loss. The Ducks had three days off until they visited the Staples Center and the Kings. The Ducks got behind 1-0 just over a minute into the first period and gave up two more later. With a 3-0 deficit half way through the third period, the Ducks finally got on the board with a goal from Teemu Selanne. Brandon McMillan added another with less than three minutes left to continue the comeback attempt. However, the Ducks would be held off by the Kings and take a 3-2 loss. The Ducks are now 1-3-2 in their last six games. With a 0-2 week, the Ducks record is now 11-16-8, 30 points which drops them all the way back to last in the conference.

The Ducks struggled defensively this week, but not offensively scoring six total goals in the two games. Six different players scored for the Ducks. Koivu was the biggest star this week with a goal and three assists. The only two other Ducks to register more than one point was Getzlaf and Selanne. So, those three would have to be the three stars of the week for the Ducks, Koivu (1 G, 3 A), Getzlaf (1 G, 1 A) and Selanne (1 G, 1 A). The Ducks leaders in goals are still Bobby Ryan and Niklas Hagman (10), Selanne (9) and Koivu/Perry (7). The Ducks leaders in assists are Fowler/Sbisa (13), Hagman (11) and Getzlaf/Perry/Ryan/Selanne (10). The Ducks leaders in points remain the same, Hagman (21), Ryan (20) and Selanne (19).

The Ducks, once again, suffered no significant injuries this week.

Here are this week’s league-wide headlines:

Week Twelve (Dec.26-30) Headlines:

• Struggling Powerhouses Kick into Gear:
  • Pittsburgh Penguins return to form; jump four spots to 9^th in the Eastern Conference.
  • Los Angeles Kings are 8-0-2 in last 10 games, move into 6^th place in the Western conference.
• WSH F Alex Ovechkin has 31 goals in 37 games; 9 goals clear of 2^nd place scorer Patrick Marleau

Injury Report:

• No major injuries

Three Stars of the Week: Presented by Hockey Ultimate Team

1. Kris Letang (PIT) – 2GP, 1G 5A
2. Pavel Datsyuk (DET) 3 GP, 2G, 5A
3. Jamie Benn (DAL) 3GP, 2 G, 4 A

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Dec 16, 2011; Chicago, IL, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller (1) during the second period against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Ducks had a busy week, continuing their road trip with stops in Long Island, Tampa Bay, Carolina and Chicago. On December 18, the Ducks got shutout by the New York Islanders by a score of 3-0. That’s what happens when the hottest goalie in the league, Evgeni Nabokov faces an offense that consists of one and a half lines. Two nights later the Ducks took a tough loss by blowing a 2-0 first period lead to the Lightning and losing in a shoot out. Nick Bonino and Corey Perry scored the first period goals. The Ducks then headed back up the coast for a night game against the Hurricanes and got shutout for the second time this week, 1-0. Jordan Stall of the Hurricanes scored the game winning goal in over time. The Ducks finished the back-to-back with a game against the Blackhawks and captured their lone win of the week. Saku Koivu scored for the Ducks in the first period and that would remain the lone goal in the game. Seems the Ducks’ hot streak finally came to an end with this 1-1-2 week. That brings their record to 11-14-8, 30 points. However, the Ducks did jump two more spots in the conference, into 11th in the conference, jumping the Colorado Avalanche and the St. Louis Blues. The Ducks have the least amount of wins in the conference, but are tied for the league lead in overtime/shootout losses.

The offense, which was buzzing the last two weeks, finally ran out of steam this week. The Ducks only scored three goals in the four games. Only eight players registered points this week. Only one player registered more than one point, and it is not who you would think it would be. Forward Matt Beleskey registered two assists. Defenseman Cam Fowler added yet another assist to his already stellar offensive season, and Luca Sbisa also added an assist in a stellar season as well. The RPG Line registered points again this week when Corey Perry scored against Tampa, and Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan both got assists. While the offense was anemic this week, goaltender Jonas Hiller was phenomenal. Besides a rough start and then being injured, Hiller has been good enough to be ranked third in the NHL in GAA (1.91) and Save Percentage (.937). So, I’m only going to name two stars of the week, this week, and they are Jonas Hiller and Matt Beleskey. The leaders in goals for the Ducks remain Ryan and Niklas Hagman (10), Teemu Selanne (8) and Koivu/Perry (6). The leaders in assists for the Ducks also remain Fowler/Sbisa (12), Hagman/Perry (10) and Getzlaf/Ryan/Selanne (9). Also, the top three in points for the Ducks stay the same, Hagman (20), Ryan (19) and Selanne (17).

photos via NHL.com

The Ducks, once again, suffered no significant injuries this week.

Here are this week’s league-wide headlines:

Week Eleven (Dec.17-23) Headlines

• Vancouver Canucks now lead the NHL with 51 points.
• Washington Capitals jump the New York Islanders to take first place in the Eastern Conference; Ovechkin now leading the NHL in Points, as well as Goals.
• Los Angeles Kings overcome an extremely slow start, winning 5 of their last 6 games, to climb to 8^th place in the Western Conference.

Injury Report:

• Struggling Penguins lose Marc-Andre Fleury to upper body injury until mid-March; playoff hopes slipping
• NHL’s top goalie Evgeni Nabokov (9 SO, Best SV% – .941) out with herniated disc until late February
• Mikko Koivu out 2-3 months with MCL sprain
• P.K. Subban out 2 months with leg injury

Three Stars of the Week: Presented by Hockey Ultimate Team

1. Pekka Rinne NSH (4 W, 1 SO)
2. Zach Parise MIN (3 G, 2 A)
3. Alex Burrows VAN (3G, 2 A)

Thanks for reading! Any questions? Contact us! Or follow us on twitter @DucksDailyBlog! We’re back on Facebook, so like us! Keep calm and pray for hockey!!!
Follow me on twitter @ddb_sean! Follow our Lead Editor on twitter @thekrishill! Follow my fellow Staff Writers on twitter @bauerhockeydude and @CamLanier!