Anaheim Ducks: Three Keys to Taking the “W” in Washington
The Anaheim Ducks make their last stop today on their five-game road trip. Facing off against the defending Stanley Cup Champions could prove to be their most difficult venture yet.
The Anaheim Ducks end their five-game road trip today in the heart of the nation’s capital. The Ducks have had a lot of success in the past few games, grabbing six of the eight possible points so far on this trip.
Today’s game will serve as the real test to see if the Ducks have finally found themselves as a team or if someone has poured a little bit of liquid luck into their morning coffee.
Did you know? President George H.W. Bush was the first President to invite the Stanley Cup Champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins, to the White House in 1991. In honor of the late President, I would like to thank him for being the first to bring hockey to the White House!
Today in Anaheim Ducks History: On December 2, 1993, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim faced the Los Angeles Kings for the first time in history. The Ducks lost 2-3 and the game had an overwhelming 27 penalties which added up to an hour of PIM!
Game 29: Anaheim Ducks vs Washington Capitals
Location: Capital One Arena — Washington D.C.
Time: 12:00 pm PST/3:00 pm EST
TV: Prime Ticket
Radio: AM 830
Anaheim Ducks Injuries: Corey Perry (Knee), Cam Fowler (Complex Facial Fracture), Patrick Eaves (Back Spasms)
Washington Capitals Injuries: T.J. Oshie (Head), Brooks Orpik (Knee)
It’s Time for the Anaheim Ducks to Gear Up for “Battle”
The Anaheim Ducks have passed almost every test so far on this road trip. They struggled on their way through Nashville, but they found their footing in Florida. After a close call, their success continued as they navigated safely through Hurricane country.
Their road trip ends this afternoon in the land of stars and stripes. Alexander Ovechkin and company have their eyes set on one thing, their eighth consecutive win. While the Ducks are in a slightly similar boat, wanting to keep their winning streak alive, today may prove to be their most difficult contest yet.
The Washington Capitals are sitting comfortably at the top of the Metropolitan Division with a season record of 15-7-3. The driving spirit that won them the Stanley Cup last season still seems to be alive and well.
With players like Alexander Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, and Tom Wilson on the front lines, it’s time for the Anaheim Ducks to gear up for battle. With their helmets on, skates laced up, and sticks ready, they must act stealthily in order to get a puck past Braden Holtby.
Holtby has a season save percentage of .917% and is looking for his sixth consecutive win as the Capitals number one in net. Although his save percentage may not be the best in the league, it is still pretty impressive. He also has one thing John Gibson doesn’t always have, a team that is consistent and unwavering.
Nevertheless, the Ducks have shocked us over their past few contests. I could see the game going either way. Both teams are hungry for a win and will stop at nothing to get it. The Ducks, however, need to be relentless today if they want to win. They cannot take their foot off the gas. If they do, they’re handing the Capitals a “W” on a silver platter.
Anaheim Ducks Player to Watch: Hampus Lindholm
After suffering from a lower-body injury, Hampus Lindholm is back in the lineup. It is perfect timing too because the Anaheim Ducks can use all the help they can get.
Lindholm is not our choice for Anaheim Ducks Player to Watch because of his performance in the past few games. He is our player to watch because of his performance over the past few years. In the last ten contests against the Washington Capitals, Lindholm has posted nine points.
Although these points are primarily assists, he has learned better than anyone else on this team (aside from maybe Ryan Getzlaf) how to generate chances and capitalize on an opportunity against the Washington Capitals.
He uses his keen senses and high hockey IQ to be in the right place at the right time. He always seems to be one step ahead as he follows through and puts the puck where it needs to go in order for his teammates to put it in the net.
With Cam Fowler out to injury on an unknown timetable, Lindholm is now the backbone of the blue line. A lot of responsibility is going to fall on him and he has the level head to take it on. Now that he’s back in the lineup, I think he’s going to take advantage of this situation and step up during a time when his team needs him.
Although he is dubbed as one of the more predictable defensemen on the Anaheim Ducks, it would be wise to keep an eye on 47. Hampus Lindholm has the ability to surprise you when you least expect it.
Washington Capitals Player to Watch: Nicklas Backstrom
At 31-years-old, Nicklas Backstrom has shown no signs of slowing down. In 25 games this season he has posted an impressive 32 points. Not only is he leading the Washington Capitals in points, but he is one of the top ten point producers in the NHL so far this season.
He has 12 points in the last ten contests against the Anaheim Ducks which includes two game winning shootout goals. His past success against the Ducks paired with his current hot streak, 19 points in the past 14 games, is sure to cause trouble for Anaheim.
He is an outstanding and versatile two-way forward, and although he lives in the shadow of Ovie, the Washington Capitals have found success in large part to him. It’s only December and he is already breaking records.
Earlier this season, he became the first player of the 2006 draft class to record his 600th assist. While that is good for Backstrom and the team he’s been loyal to since they drafted him, his immense talent could mean bad news for the Anaheim Ducks.
Anaheim Ducks: Three Keys to the Game
The Anaheim Ducks first game against the Washington Capitals is going to prove to be difficult. As much as they’d like for it to be a cakewalk, they must go into today’s game and give it 100%. I cannot sugar coat it. The Ducks have a ton of issues they still need to work out in order to work together like a well-oiled machine.
Nevertheless, a win this afternoon is not impossible. The “impossible” mindset will just give the Ducks a reason not to try. With that being said, here are the keys to today’s game.
Key One: Stay Confident
We’ve all heard the phrase “confidence is key.” That should be the Anaheim Ducks mantra this afternoon. Facing the defending Stanley Cup champions for the first time since their big win can prove to be intimidating. It becomes an even bigger challenge when the Caps have their eyes set on their eighth consecutive win.
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The Capitals are going to score goals, that much is certain. They may even play a little more physical than the other teams the Ducks have faced so far this season. If the Ducks allow the Capitals to get under their skin at all, it’s going to shake them up.
If they keep a confident mindset, it will go a long way in helping them reset when things don’t exactly go the way they planned. The leadership on this team needs to lead the charge in keeping everyone in the right frame of mind. If they exert confidence, the rest of the team will follow suit.
Key Two: Stay Strong in the Second Period
The Anaheim Ducks are notorious for taking their foot off the gas pedal in the second period. This has led to a hodgepodge of problems for the team. The shot differential gets out of control, they blow leads, and in most cases, it has just made for a very boring hockey game.
There is no stopping in today’s game. The second period is not their opportunity to take it easy. They should be working their hardest during the second period. No more second-period slumps, it’s time to turn it up a notch.
If they focus on staying confident (see key one) they should have no problem staying alive and strong throughout the second period.
Key Three: Now is Not the Time For Penalties
This season, the Ducks have been taking far too many penalties. In their last game, they were on the PK six times! When you’re facing a team that has a below average power play, things tend to work a little more in your favor. Nevertheless, they still need to limit the penalties and stay disciplined.
Today they are facing a team with a power play unit that is well above the league average. Although the Ducks have a decent PK unit, a penalty against the Washington Capitals could be a recipe for disaster.
If the limit their time in the sin bin, it will allow them more time to focus on their own strategy instead of trying to fend off the lethal Washington Capitals power play unit.
Next. Were We Wrong About Nick Ritchie?. dark
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