Anaheim Ducks: Three Keys to Defeating the Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators are coming to town and the Anaheim Ducks have their eyes on breaking their eight-game losing streak.

After tieing a franchise record with eight losses in a row, the tension between the Anaheim Ducks and their fans is increasing with each passing game.

The Ottawa Senators are currently 15-23-5 which has found them at the very bottom of the standings. A loss to the Edmonton Oilers was disappointing, but a loss to the Ottawa Senators signals larger problems than originally anticipated.

Bob Murray is putting all his hope in the return of Rickard Rakell. Tonight we will find out if the young forward will be the team’s saving grace or if the Anaheim Ducks need a serious overhaul.

Game 44: Anaheim Ducks vs Ottawa Senators

Season Record: 19-17-7

Location: Honda Center — Anaheim, California

Time: 7:00 pm PST

TV: Prime Ticket

Radio: AM 830

Anaheim Ducks News: Rickard Rakell and Cam Fowler are both back from injury

Anaheim Ducks Injuries: Ryan Miller (Sprained MCL), Corey Perry (Knee), Patrick Eaves (Broken Rib/Back Spasms)

Ottawa Senators Injuries: Craig Anderson (Concussion), Thomas Chabot (UBIG), Matt Duchene (Personal), Justin Falk (Concussion), Marian Gaborik (Back)

Three Keys to Breaking the Losing Streak

While we all know that the Anaheim Ducks have a lot to do tonight if they want to break the losing streak, these are just three steps that can point them in the right direction.

Play All 60 Minutes: A hockey game is 60 minutes. Not 20, not 40, but 60. The Anaheim Ducks biggest struggle this season has been playing like they are asleep through about the first 40 minutes of the game.

Although they are one of the best teams in the third period, sleeping in the first and second have come back to hurt them on more than one occasion. There is nothing more disappointing than watching them try to claw their way back from a 2 or 3 goal deficit during a last-ditch effort in the third.

Putting in the work during all three periods will not only help them with their production, but it will also aid them keeping the puck out of their own zone. As much as we’d like to think he is, John Gibson is not a magic man. He is only capable of doing so much. He needs the rest of his team to back him up.

Stay Out of the Sin Bin: It is no secret that the Anaheim Ducks have spent their fair share of time in the penalty box this season. They were doing a decent job of staying out of the sin bin when Vegas was in town. That is, until the very end.

Penalties happen, it’s just a part of the game. However, the intentional ones need to stop. Such as Ryan Kesler‘s 4-minute hi-striking infraction against Cody Eakin when Vegas came to town. It was clearly a roughing penalty, but I’m not a ref, so I’ll leave those calls to the professionals.

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Nevertheless, even though I’m calling out Kesler, he’s not the only guilty party. While not all penalties are intentional, there are still plenty of ways to avoid all the time in the sin bin.

Have Fun: The Ducks need to get in touch with their inner child and remind themselves why they started playing hockey in the first place. It is their passion, yet lately, they don’t seem passionate.

Hockey is about hard work and dedication, yes, but there should always be an element of fun. It’s what motivates anyone to keep pushing forward and giving their best effort. If the Anaheim Ducks can get back to basics, focus on what made them start their hockey career in the first place, they should have no issues breaking their losing streak against the Ottawa Senators.

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