Pucks of a Feather
Fansided

Anaheim Ducks: Wishes for 2017

By Julius Choi

Oct 13, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Anaheim Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle during the game against Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeat the Ducks 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Anaheim Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle during the game against Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeat the Ducks 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 30, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks fans leave in the later part of the third period as the Ducks play against the Chicago Blackhawks in game seven of the Western Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks fans leave in the later part of the third period as the Ducks play against the Chicago Blackhawks in game seven of the Western Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

A Change of Narrative

Anaheim have finished atop of their division in every full season under former coach Bruce Boudreau only to lose in Game 7s in the playoffs after having a chance to close the series in Game 6.

As Chicago Bulls Guard Ron Harper once said of the then NBA record for most regular season wins set in 1995-96: “72-10 don’t mean a thing without a ring.”

Regular season accomplishments does not mark the end of a journey. A championship does.

So in order to reverse this, it may be a better idea to make the playoffs without being the division winner. The Ducks could perform better when exceptions of succeeding in the play-offs is lowered and storylines of a favorite losing to an underdog is no more.

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