Anaheim Ducks vs Nashville Predators: Predator or Prey?
The Anaheim Ducks take the ice at Honda Center tonight with a 7-8-3 record. The team has struggled thus far against teams considered to be of similar caliber. The real test, to see how they stand up under the pressure, begins tonight against the Nashville Predators.
Game 19: Anaheim Ducks vs Nashville Predators
Location: Honda Center — Anaheim, California
Time: 7:00 p.m. PST
TV: Fox Sports West
Radio: AM 830
The Anaheim Ducks face off against one of their fiercest rivals tonight. Although Ducks Nation would receive a big win if we see Ryan Kesler and Ryan Johansen drop the gloves tonight, an actual win would make tonight even better.
The Anaheim Ducks haven’t won a game against the Nashville Predators since the 2017 Conference Finals on May 18, 2017. A win tonight is going to be excruciatingly difficult for the team, but not impossible. The team has had quite a few major missteps in their last few games, but there are a few key components, that if they are able to execute, will help them win the game.
The Apex Predators
Before I jump into the keys to winning tonight’s game, I first want to take a moment to discuss what, or who, the Ducks need to be cautious of. The Nashville Predators lead the Western Conference and the Central Division with a record of 13-3-0 and 26 points. The reason they are leading their Conference and Division is that they are a team chalked full of depth, speed, and grit.
Their top line, specifically, is what the Anaheim Ducks need to keep an eye on. It is projected that we will see Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, and Colton Sissons on their top line tonight. With a combined total of 38 points in the past 16 games, their top line is going to be extremely dangers, even with Viktor Arvidsson is out tonight with a lower-body injury.
The Anaheim Ducks are going to need to keep an eye on the Predators defensive pairings too. Their top four is exploding with the talented likes of their captain Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis, Mattias Ekholm, and P.K. Subban. The quartet is not only a productive bunch but is considered one of the most talented groups of defenseman in the league.
The Predators have yet to announce a starting goaltender for tonight’s game, but considering the depth found in the rest of their roster, the Predators don’t need to worry much about who is representing them in the net.
Key One: Defend Your Man
The Anaheim Ducks defense has been struggling since the start of the regular season. In my opinion, Randy Carlyle needs to swallow his pride and reunite the Hampus Lindholm and Josh Manson pairing. Nevertheless, until he comes to his senses, the Anaheim Ducks have to play in the pairings the coach says they have to.
One of the biggest issues the defense has been having this season is their inability to properly protect the front of the net and block shots. John Gibson is left to defend himself, facing between 30-40 shots or more per game. That is not okay. Gibson should not be facing that many shots!
John Gibson’s job is to block shots, yes. However, he needs his defensemen to be his second set of eyes. They have, so far, lacked the capability to do so. The defense looks sloppy and out of sorts. Their foundation is severely cracked, and they need to figure out how to fix it.
The defense needs to go back to basics and stand firmly upon the fundamentals that turn a defenseman into a defensive dynamo. If they are able to maintain good positioning during the game tonight, initiate decent breakouts, and are able to make crisp passes to their teammates, they can iron out quite a few of their issues.
Of course, they cannot do any of this without focusing on communicating with the rest of their team. It isn’t just the defense that needs a lesson in communication, it’s all of them. Nevertheless, if the defensive core can figure out how to do it, maybe the rest of the team will follow suit.
Key Two: Speed It Up
Speed is the name of the game these days and the Anaheim Ducks have yet to learn how to properly use their speed. They have certainly become faster skaters, but they haven’t been utilizing their speed properly.
How can they say they’ve learned to be faster when they still rely on dump and chase to help them win? In case you’ve missed the past few games, let me just tell you, dump and chase does not help you win at all, but tell that to Randy Carlyle.
The Anaheim Ducks need to utilize their speed properly. They need to skate fast, yes, but they also need to make faster plays and think faster as well. They are never going to defeat a team if they’re always one step behind.
Connecting passes, soft hands, quick feet, and using the hockey IQ they were all gifted with are going to go a long way in helping them win games. As much as I want to place sole blame on Randy Carlyle, this team also needs to take responsibility for their actions. They are the ones playing this game, and if they continually can’t connect passes and don’t make smart plays, this is going to be a rough season.
Key Three: Shoot the Puck!
I don’t have to say much on this one. Key three is simple. Shoot the puck!
One of my all-time favorite quotes that I live by it every single day, was said by Wayne Gretzky. He said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
Although I apply this to my personal life, he originally meant it in the context of hockey. “The Great One” is absolutely right. You miss every shot you don’t take.
If the Anaheim Ducks were to take more risks and shoot the puck more, they could close the gap in the shot differential we see every game. They may even pot a few more into the back of the net. Nevertheless, they also have to utilize their speed to do so (see key two!)
Key Four: Keep the Momentum Going
One of the most frustrating things about this team so far this season has been their inability to keep the momentum going. They play an okay first period, but everything goes downhill from there. I cannot for the life of me, figure out why.
There have been several games where they blow a several goal lead in the second and third period and wind up losing. I wish I could tell you exactly why the Ducks struggle in the second period, but in all honesty, I have yet to put my finger on the problem.
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?
Nevertheless, if the team can keep the momentum going in the second period the outcome could prove to be different. The leaders need to take the charge because the rest of the team will follow suit.
To be quite honest with you, I think they struggle so much because of discouragement. In several post-game interviews with the players, they’ve admitted that they know the team is not playing to the best of their abilities.
Being out on the ice and feeling outmatched can cause a team to give up and stop fighting for the win. I don’t know Randy Carlyle personally, but he needs to do a better job encouraging his team. The leaders need to as well. If they all keep each other accountable and encourage one another to use their talents, like we all know they are capable of, I think it could go a long way.
Tonight is going to be a difficult matchup. I’m not going to say it is impossible, but the Anaheim Ducks are not in a position to win without a major overhaul of their system.
Next. Interview With Max Jones of the San Diego Gulls. dark
If they take these four keys into consideration, there is a good chance that they can find it within themselves to be victorious tonight. That may not necessarily mean they win, but it can certainly mean they find themselves as a team again.