Anaheim Ducks Trek To Arizona To Face The Desert Dogs

Feb 11, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Brandon Montour (71) skates with the puck as Washington Capitals center Lars Eller (20) chases in the first period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Brandon Montour (71) skates with the puck as Washington Capitals center Lars Eller (20) chases in the first period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

After a 1-0 win over Los Angeles last night, the Anaheim Ducks plays Arizona in the second of a back-to-back.

They hope to string a win streak on the road after well documented struggles as of late.

This will mark the third and final meeting between these two clubs. Anaheim is 2-0-0 against them, outscoring Arizona, 6-2.

Anaheim Ducks (31-19-10, 72 points)

Priceless:

Last Friday, the Anaheim Ducks played apart in a surprise for Kellie Courdoff.

Her husband, Samuel serves in the United States military and Kellie thought he wasn’t home.

Until he snuck up behind her during Friday’s game versus Florida.

It’s such a great thing for sports teams to do this: honoring those who put their lives on the line to keep our lives worry free and reminding everyone to treasure those in your life.

I do not want to put things too political but I will say that our armed forces deserve everything.

Please Don’t: 

Much to the chagrin of Anaheim Ducks fans, Randy Carlyle scratched Brandon Montour in favor of Korbinian Holzer in the loss to Florida.

And to complete the double play, he was paired up with Kevin Bieksa. Which was uncalled for.

With no disrespect to Korbinian, Montour is younger and is by far the better player. There is a valid excuse for not putting your best line-up out there day in and day out.

And whether he’s a trade chip or not, it’s for his benefit to be playing than to sit out.

We called him up from San Diego because he doesn’t belong there anymore. Case in point, he’s our top prospect that can possibly land us a good haul.

Arizona Coyotes (20-30-7, 47 points)

Broken Pillars:

It’s been established long ago that Max Domi is not a carbon copy of his father Tie.

As it took Max two years to pony up 73 points, while Tie took seven to reach that mark. But it seems as though Max is a victim of the sophomore slump this season. At least by first glance.

He has just half of the 52 points he had last year, shooting percentage dipped by 2.7%, and not as lethal on the power play.

Then you out find out he missed 23 games due to a broken hand. Uh, yeah, you kind of need that to play hockey.

Anthony Duclair, meanwhile is nowhere to be seen on the big club.

He was sent down to AHL Tucson last month after failing to play at a high level. After finishing in the top 10 of the Calder race last season, he has scored just nine points this season.

Duclair’s not doing himself much of a favor to get called up again, as he has just one goal and eight points in 12 games for the Roadrunners.

Looking Back:

The Coyotes celebrated their 20th year of being a hockey club in Arizona on Saturday.

Much like how the Ducks went about their 20th anniversary in 2013, Arizona honored a few members of the 1996 team before the game.

And for a nice finish, the Coyotes wore the kachina jerseys during a 4-1 loss to San Jose.

Next: Anaheim Outlasts LA In Close Affair

Although they are having some issues keeping the team in Arizona right now, it’s commendable for them to be there for as long as they have.