Pucks of a Feather
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Anaheim Ducks: Two Keys to Marching Past the Penguins

By Chris Bushell

ANAHEIM, CA - JANUARY 17: John Gibson #36 of the Anaheim Ducks makes a save with help from Hampus Lindholm #47 during the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 17, 2018 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - JANUARY 17: John Gibson #36 of the Anaheim Ducks makes a save with help from Hampus Lindholm #47 during the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 17, 2018 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Uncharted Territory for Sid and Co.

ANAHEIM, CA – JANUARY 17: Ryan Kesler #17 of the Anaheim Ducks wins a faceoff from Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins at Honda Center on January 17, 2018, in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – JANUARY 17: Ryan Kesler #17 of the Anaheim Ducks wins a faceoff from Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins at Honda Center on January 17, 2018, in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been Stanley Cup contenders every year virtually since Sidney Crosby’s arrival in the Steel City. But if you think the Ducks have had some tough sledding ask a Penguins fan. Entering tonight the Penguins are 15-11-6. Not miserable but not up to snuff with what the Penguins usually are. They are in 3rd currently in the Metropolitan Division but a loss tonight coupled with an Islanders win in Colorado would drop them out of a playoff spot.

With that said the usual suspects are scoring for the Penguins. Sidney Crosby, Phill Kessel, and Evegeni Malkin all have 35 points with Jake Guentzl not far behind with 28 points and Kris Letang with 25. Past that no one has more than 19 points and Letang is a game-time decision. This team is extremely top heavy and if the Ducks can keep the top forwards in check there isn’t much behind them.

These guys are too skilled to not get some chances and Gibson will have to stand tall but limiting the big guns for Pittsburgh will go a long way to beating them. This isn’t the Penguins teams of years past where their 3rd and 4th lines are getting it done for them too. Limiting the first line will force a bunch of players who may already be squeezing the stick too tight to squeeze a little more. And in this sport, a nervous and pressing player will never translate to a good player.

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