Anaheim Ducks: Don't Worry About Preseason Record

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Sep 28, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman

Sami Vatanen

(center) celebrates with his team after scoring a goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Preseason hockey is a time for veterans to get their legs under them and for some young stars to earn their spots on an NHL team. Fans love it as their favorite teams come back from a summer off and we get our first look at this year’s team.

Five games through a seven game preseason for the Anaheim Ducks and they currently sit at 2-3-1. Not bad, but considering the past three have resulted in 0-3-1 fans are getting noticeably antsy about what this team is.

With only one preseason contest left and roster cuts most likely coming down, today I want to see how the storylines I wrote about last week have played out.

Ryan Kesler and Dany Heatley

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

Last week I made these two separate storylines, but since the two of them are both the biggest acquisitions of the offseason, I put them together to see how they’ve done so far.

Kesler has played in two preseason games thus far and looked pretty good on both appearances. He seems to have found some chemistry with linemates Pat Maroon and Jakob Silfverberg and even connected with them a third period game-tying goal in his appearance.

He currently has one goal and is -1 rating but those numbers shouldn’t be taken to heart. This is through two preseason games with a new team, new line and new system and he has looked good for the most part in it. Especially in areas that are as often looked it. He has seen time on the penalty kill and power play where I expect the Ducks will use him very often. He has utilized his big frame to hold on to the puck, knock opposing players off it and make the smart decisions that get the Ducks scoring chances. He is also right around 66% on face-offs which was of the many reasons the Ducks brought him in and I expect that to pay big dividends this season.

Kesler looks to be settling in and whether his linemates stay the same or change, it looks so far in the preseason that he is just what the Ducks were hoping for in acquiring him.

Dany Heatley started his Ducks career off with a bang, literally.

Just 48 seconds into his Ducks career he ripped home a shot off a Ryan Getzlaf pass that propelled the Ducks to a 4-0 win against Colorado. He has appeared in two more games since then once without Getzlaf and Corey Perry and one more with. Through three games, Heatley has two goals and one assist with a +1 rating. He seems to be gelling with line mates Getzlaf and Perry and if Heatley can produce point per night numbers, Bob Murray looks like an absolute genius bringing him aboard.

I have believed from the start this was a smart, low risk high reward move and so far Heatley is living up to that bill. I am pumping the brakes slightly because just as you shouldn’t go too far negative you shouldn’t go too far positive. This is preseason and you aren’t going up against the best of each team yet. However, we judge what we have seen and so far Heatley looks good and if it continues this could be an absolutely lethal first line for the Ducks.

Goaltending

Sep 25, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie

John Gibson

(36) makes a save in the second period of the game against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

All summer we heard that possibly the biggest question mark with the Ducks would be in goal. Ducks brass felt it was time to give the kids their chance and let Jonas Hiller walk in favor of the young tandem of Frederik Andersen and John Gibson. Through five games my answer for who is the No. 1 goalie is still the same as it was before these five games, I don’t know.

Andersen got off to a great start as he led the Ducks to a 27-save shutout of the Avalanche in the opening game at Honda Center. He followed that up with a 4-2 loss to the Kings on Sunday in his only other appearance this preseason. He made a number of good saves but still got the loss with was pretty much the Ducks opening night roster in my opinion playing front of him.

Through two games he is 1-1 with a 2.00 GAA and a .928 SV%. Those numbers aren’t bad, but he may be dealing with the “what have you done for me lately” line due to the 4-2 loss. Andersen has looked solid overall however and I’m wondering if Boudreau splits this game up to give each them of one last chance to prove their stock.

John Gibson has played in three games so far and has a less than stellar 0-2-1 record. He has a 3.33 GAA and a 905 SV%. Both need to be better but Gibson’s stats must also be taken with a grain of salt.

Gibson has played at least two if not all his games with an extremely young Ducks lineup that would never all be in the lineup come the regular season. He has had to deal with some less than experienced defense and been on the wrong end of some bad defensive plays. We expect better numbers from Gibson but let’s not give up on him thre games into the pre-season slate. He like Andersen will also get the nod for one more pre-season game and this one I’d imagine will feature if not the actual pretty close to the actual Ducks roster.

If pressed, I would give the nod to Andersen as No. 1 right now but I want to wait for the final preseason game before I can definitively name one guy.

Rakell, Karlsson, Kerdiles

Sep 28, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center

Rickard Rakell

(67) prepares for a face-off with Los Angeles Kings center Nick Shore (37) during the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

This seems to be a two player race as Kerdiles has seen limited action in the preseason and was one of the cuts made yesterday. He could use a year in the AHL playing most likely on the first line and could be a late season playoff call-up or called up due to injury.

Rakell and Karlsson will be fighting for that third line center role and each have had their ups and downs. Rakell has appeared in five games so far and has a line of 1-0-1 with a +1 rating. He also is at a 54% on the faceoff dots which is a pretty good clip to be at.

Rakell needs to find the net more or at the very least facilitate more. One goal through five games won’t get him noticed on the score sheet but he has been playing tough and creating some chances. He no doubt will be in the lineup for the last preseason game and that could make or break his spot and see if he finally makes the jump up.

Karlsson has been praised since the Ducks drafted him and is making his case for that spot in his first year in North America. He has appeared in four games to this point with a 0-3-3 line and -2 rating. More points than Rakell, but in the minus side of +/- and that needs to be fixed.

Fans have been big fans of his game thus far and he is at the very least pushing Rakell for that coveted slot. He only has 39% face-off percentage however and this final game could get very interesting.

Do the Ducks role with Rakell who is a little more proven, has a higher face-off percentage and hope the offense shows or go with the Karlsson who has more points but needs to improve his defensive game and face-off numbers?

Karlsson will get one final chance to prove something but if pressed right now Rakell still has the job in my eyes.

Sep 22, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Anaheim Ducks react to the win over the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center. The Avalanche defeated the Ducks 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

So the Ducks will shoot for .500 record when they tangle with the Sharks Saturday night in the preseason finale. There are plenty of positives to take away so far even if the record may not show it.

Anaheim Ducks: Don’t Worry About Preseason Record

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