Anaheim Ducks: Three Keys to Conquering the Calvary

Viva Las Vegas

Tonight is the night the Anaheim Ducks hope to snap their losing streak. However, the Vegas Golden Knights are currently on a four-game win streak, with 12 points in their last seven games. It will prove to be a challenge, but not impossible.

The Anaheim Ducks performances in their last two games, despite losing both, has restored hope that maybe they can figure things out in the second half. They have not only been fun and entertaining to watch again, but it seems like they’ve finally figured out how to communicate with one another.

Nevertheless, as I said, tonight’s game will prove to be challenging. Despite the slow start to their season, the Golden Knights have climbed their way back up the standings and into the second place Pacific Division spot.

Marc-Andre Fleury has been a driving force behind their success, leading them to five wins in their last seven games. This includes only allow four goals in their past four contests.

A familiar face to the Anaheim Ducks, William Karlsson, is having another phenomenal season. He is leading the team in goals and is currently second in points.

Alex Tuch is, who has five points in their past seven games, has had an impressive season as well. The 22-year-old leads the team with 31 points, just four shy of averaging a point per game.

Anaheim Ducks Player to Watch: John Gibson

I think the most difficult part about watching the Ducks lose six in a row is because of the phenomenal performances of John Gibson night after nights. He’s certainly had to deal with a few struggles this season, but he always remains consistent.

Despite losing the past six games, he maintained an average .911 SV% during the losing streak. Although that is not an entirely impressive save percentage, it is certainly is when your team has lost six in a row.

During only two games did he allow his SV% to dip below .938%. He has made 131 saves in the past six games despite being pulled in the first period against the San Jose Sharks due to possible injury.

On an average night, Gibson is facing 30 shots on goal or more. Any average goaltender would not be able to maintain a .926% save percentage and their opponents would likely be blowing them out game after game.

Hopefully, the Ducks go into tonight’s game with the same fervency they did against Tampa Bay. John Gibson is doing his job, and he can only do so much. Getting a little help from the rest of his team would be nice for a change.

However, if the rest of the team doesn’t show up for one reason or another, we can all place our hope in the fact that John Gibson will put on a spectacular show.

Vegas Golden Knights Player to Watch: Marc-Andre Fleury

When the Golden Knights signed Marc-Andre Fleury to a 3-year, $21M, contract extension after one year of production, I have to admit, I scratched my head a little bit. Three years, of course, isn’t a huge deal, but he is getting up there in age and had spent the previous year transitioning to a backup role.

You’d think that transitioning from a backup goaltender in Pittsburgh to the main man between the pipes in Las Vegas would do a number on your body. While Fleury was nowhere near a horrible goaltender, his save percentage hasn’t always been consistent. One might think the same might happen in Vegas.

However, despite the slow start to the season, Fleury has held up under the pressure surprisingly well. His contract extension is starting to seem like a decent deal for both the team and the goaltender.

In the Golden Knights last four games, Fleury has only allowed an astounding four goals against his team. This includes a shutout against the Los Angeles Kings. The fact that he is stopping goals left and right is definitely a bonus, but one of the main reasons he is our player to watch tonight is because he makes hockey fun.

Not only does he have an extremely sunny personality, but the way he presents himself in the net is incredibly fun to watch. I think the reason he has been so successful in Vegas is that he allows himself to have fun on the job, and he’s found the perfect mix between entertaining and hard working.

Three Keys to Tonight’s Game

Always Remain Confident: If the Anaheim Ducks want to win tonight, they must play like it. Confidence is the key and it always will be. Playing a game with an attitude of defeat means that you have already lost the game before you have stepped foot onto the ice.

Losing six in a row can definitely shake your confidence, but losses are a learning experience. Losses teach a hard lesson to every team in what needs to be fixed. It is their choice whether they learn from their mistakes or not.

Limit the Penalties: The Ducks seem to take an inordinate amount of penalties. Certainly more than their opponents. They currently have 387 combined penalty minutes as a team. Their opponents, while playing against the Ducks, only have 297 penalty minutes.

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The Anaheim Ducks are almost averaging 10 penalty minutes per game (9.4.) The 170 penalties they have taken so far this season, have them tied for the second most penalties with Boston.

The Golden Knights power play is very close to the league average, just sitting less than 1% below. During their last meeting, Vegas opened the scoring up with a power play goal, which led them to a 5-0 shutout against the Anaheim Ducks.

While a goal is never guaranteed on a power play, the Ducks have, more often than not, had to deal with the repercussions of the opposing team having the one-man advantage.

Jump on the Rebounds: The Anaheim Ducks had no issues generating shots on goal during their last game against the Golden Knights. However, they still left T-Mobile Arena with 0 goals to their name.

Jumping on rebounds and catching Marc-Andre Fleury off guard or out of position is going to help the Ducks if they want to score multiple goals tonight. Plus, it is a good habit to get into the practice of.

Hopefully, the Anaheim Ducks can start the New Year on the right foot. The only place to go from here is up, fingers crossed!