Good afternoon, Anaheim Ducks fans! It’s finally the All-Star break, so no NHL hockey until January 27th. So I guess it’s not such a good afternoon after all. However, the break should be a welcome sight for players: the 82-game regular-season is a grind, and any sort of respite is welcomed. It’s a time for players to get healthy (Clayton Stoner, Eric Brewer) or fight off injuries (Frederik Andersen, who played yesterday with the flu).
The Ducks have their one representative at the All-Star game in Ryan Getzlaf. Andersen could theoretically be named for the All-Star game as a replacement goaltender for Sergei Bobrovsky, but he has already stated that he will use the break to recover and be in good health before the team returns to face the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday.
The Ducks punctuated the end of the first major part of the season. They enter the All-Star break on a five-game winning streak and are 31-10-6 through the first 47 games of the season. 16 wins in their final 35 games will net them another 100 point season, which should be enough to clinch a playoff berth, even in the highly competitive Western Conference. The team has a 12-point lead in the Pacific Division, while no other division winner has more than a three-point lead. Their 68 points are most in the NHL.
While it is a nice start, the Ducks need to keep their level of play high. This is a similar position to how the team was faring before the Olympic break last season, and the Ducks limped their way into the postseason and did not look or play like the “best team” in the Western Conference. The 22-0-6 record in one-goal games is tremendous, but the team needs to build off its 9-10 record in multi-goal games. After all, the best teams should be able to win all kinds of games. The Ducks have won three-straight multi-goal games, and fans, players, and the organization should be looking for the team to improve in that regard.
There was no shortage of news last night in the NHL either. Here are some Ducks and NHL news to keep the day moving.
More from Ducks News
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- Is Pierre-Luc Dubois on the cards for the rebuilding Anaheim Ducks?
- Making the case for the Anaheim Ducks to trade with the Edmonton Oilers
- Anaheim Ducks might benefit tremendously by trading John Gibson
- How close are the Anaheim Ducks to becoming contenders again?
Hawken Miller, the boy who inspires Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf (Sportsnet)
Ryan Getzlaf headed to the All-Star Game alone this time (NHL)
The Anaheim Ducks have some All-Star snubs (The Hockey Writers)
Kevin Bieksa sidelined indefinitely with a broken hand (NHL)
Martin Brodeur extends his leave of absence from the St. Louis Blues (Bleedin’ Blue)
Although strong, the Winnipeg Jets could stand to improve forward depth (TSN)
Should the Chicago Blackhawks get to play in another Stadium Series? (Blackhawk Up)
Tanking or Trying? The Buffalo Sabres give their answer (ESPN)
NHL All-Star Game, Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference Edition (Stars and Sticks)