Good morning, Anaheim Ducks fans! It’s a big day (if you’re a fan of American football), as “Super Sunday” is here. One of America’s biggest events, the Super Bowl will be the premier event of the night: the NHL has its share of games today, but all are in the afternoon before the big game. There’s going to be good food, a (hopefully) entertaining game, and time well spent with family and friends, but the Ducks have more to focus on beyond Super Bowl Sunday.
Though the Ducks do not have a game until Tuesday, they cannot afford to take it too easy. Two consecutive lackluster performances should stick out in the minds of the Ducks organization, and despite the team having three days off between Friday’s 4-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks and Tuesday’s matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Ducks have to be prepared.
Despite Carolina’s record, they finished the month of January with a strong 7-3-2 record. They are currently 15th in the Eastern Conference, The Hurricanes were 10-21-4 before the return of Jordan Staal, who has appeared in 13 of the team’s last 14 games since returning from a broken leg he suffered in the preseason. This is a team that, despite its record, boasts some great talent in Eric Staal, Jeff Skinner, Elias Lindholm, and Justin Faulk.
The Ducks need a better effort from their team. Neither of their previous two efforts against the San Jose Sharks or Chicago Blackhawks was particularly encouraging, and the team’s star duo of Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry were mostly invisible, held to a single assist (by Perry) and a -9 rating in that span. Those two are expected to lead the team night in and night out: it’s what makes them superstars, and it’s why they wear the letters on their jerseys.
So despite the festivities, there has to be some degree of focus from the team for the task ahead. There are 32 games left for the Ducks in the season, and it’s time for the Ducks to re-establish a level of play that matches where they are in the standings.
Here are some Ducks and NHL news for Super Sunday.
More from Ducks News
- Who could the Anaheim Ducks consider presenting offer sheets to?
- 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?
Anaheim Ducks apparently interested in Tyler Myers of the Buffalo Sabres (TSN)
Don’t sleep on Rickard Rakell for the Anaheim Ducks (The Hockey Writers)
Can Frederik Andersen bring a Stanley Cup to the Anaheim Ducks? (Rant Sports)
Staal brothers joining forces to help Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)
Boston Bruins have roared back thanks to a strong January (Causeway Crowd)
Carey Price should be heavily considered for the Hart Trophy (TSN)
Henrik Lundqvist proving how important goaltending is in the NHL (Blue Line Station)
Lawsuit seeks to have Canadian Hockey League players making minimum wage (ESPN)
Can Nick Bjugstad be a superstar in the future for the Florida Panthers? (The Rat Trick)