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Anaheim Ducks: Rickard Rakell is key to Stanley Cup Victory

By Chris Bushell

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 28: Rickard Rakell #67 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrates his goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Amalie Arena on October 28, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 28: Rickard Rakell #67 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrates his goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Amalie Arena on October 28, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Anaheim Ducks
ANAHEIM, CA – FEBRUARY 25: Rickard Rakell #67 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrates his goal in the third period with his teammates to tie the game against the Edmonton Oilers on February 25, 2018. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Swedish has Finish

Rickard Rakell was in an interesting place last October. The then 24-year-old was entering into his fourth full pro season, coming off a 51 point performance the prior year. While 51 points is hardly a bad season, you want your top offensive player to be scoring more than that. Injuries to stars like Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler, and Patrick Eaves, along with a decline in Corey Perry’s play, Rakell found himself as the go-to offensive weapon.

The hockey world knew about Rakell and that he was a good offensive player. At that time, he didn’t instill fear in his opponents. Ricky Rak changed his narrative in 2018.

Though the play of John Gibson was also a huge reason the Ducks stayed afloat in the early going, they still may have sunk had it not been for Rakell. He went off for 29 points (14g,15a) in the Ducks first 35 games. Rakell proved he can be an almost point per game player when he doesn’t have a ton of help around him.

The calendar flipped to 2018, and the star payers were back on the ice. In the Ducks final 47 regular season games Rakell went 20g, 20a, for 40 points to close out the regular season with 69 points. That was an 18 point increase from the season before.

Ricky Rak always looked dangerous, with and without the other offensive stars. As much as I’m a Rakell fan and love his point progression last season, the Anaheim Ducks need more from him.

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