Anaheim Ducks: Thoughts and Views from Section 225

The Anaheim Ducks are in a bad bad way. And if you think it looks bad on TV. It gets worse when you’re live and up close

Last night I was afforded the opportunity to catch the Anaheim Ducks vs the Ottawa Senators live at Honda Center. I usually sit somewhere in the 400’s but last night I was extremely blessed to sit in section 225 mere rows from the ice. Sitting here you can see it all: the players’ facial expressions, their on-ice demeanor, the play develop and obviously the goals. Seeing it all up close and personal is vastly different than the televised broadcast. If you watched the game or listened to it then you know the Ducks lost once again in OT by a score of 2-1.

The Ducks actually looked good in the first and got on the board first with a goal from Jakob Silfverberg. After that goal, I thought the Ducks would be in good shape for the rest of the game. But I was wrong. Slowly and surely the Ducks let Ottawa get their chances. The Ducks also got a powerplay but didn’t do anything with it. Honestly, I’m not sure what’s worse: a Cody Parkey field goal attempt or a Ducks powerplay chance. The first period ended and Ottawa wasn’t on the board. That’s always a good sign.

The second period began. This was the part where I rolled my eyes because historically the Ducks have not been good in the second period and the 2nd is usually where they give the game away and end up having to play catch up. Fortunately, this time around they kept Ottawa off the board in this period. Ottawa had a few shorthanded chances during another one of the Ducks’ terrible powerplay chances but it seemed to be a bend but don’t break scenario. As a matter of fact, they almost got a second goal in the dying seconds of the second. But in true Anaheim Ducks fashion, they couldn’t convert. The score remained 1-0.

The 3rd period began. At this point, I’m thinking either one of two of things will happen: John Gibson shutout and we finally end the losing streak or the Senators tie it and take it OT somehow. The period started pretty flat but picked up as the seconds ticked off the clock. In the top half of the period, Bobby Ryan tied the score at 1-1. I found it kind of ironic that up to this point only Silfverberg and Ryan scored. After that goal not much else happened. Neither team had super dangerous chances to score and that brought us overtime.

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Now the nerves were really kicking in. Because the last two games that went the overtime, the Ducks have not lasted more than 35 seconds. This time they broke that record only lasting 1:34 as Colin White would score the game-winning goal for Ottawa. A lot of fans next to and around me blamed Hampus Lindholm for that goal and I heard someone say he needs a break. I wouldn’t go that far but his line change came at the worst time. Brandon Montour had to play catch up and Ryan Getzlaf was backchecking and Rickard Rakell couldn’t do too much.

This was the game I had to witness, and to add insult to injury this Ducks loss added to history in the worst way. A new franchise record of 9 consecutive win-less games.  A shame especially against one of the league’s worst since they are now without the services of Erik Karlsson.

After watching the game here are my 5 thoughts:

1. Randy Carlyle has to go. It’s hard to coach to players on deaf ears. He’s clearly lost the room and the players aren’t following him. It almost looks like they are trying to get him fired. He also scratched Pontus Aberg in favor of Brian Gibbons. There is a very big problem with the coach if he’d rather put a grinder over someone who has shown to be a good scoring threat. This SHOULD be the game that gets him the boot but knowing Bob that isn’t happening.
2. The injury excuse is no longer valid to defend Carlyle. With Rakell and Cam Fowler back the Ducks are about 95% healthy. Corey Perry is supposed to return sometime this year but it may be too late at that point. Not to mention he isn’t the same point producing we’ve come to know and love. I mean no disrespect when I say this but Patrick Eaves will not be the answer to our problems either. The man legitimately cannot stay healthy for more than a few games at a time. Unless he takes a senzu bean and becomes a goal scoring machine I can’t see his return changing things.
3. Ryan Kesler needs a break. His play is hurting the team. Outside of winning faceoffs, which is something he’s really good at, he isn’t helping the team offensively. He’s been a favorite of mine since came in the Vancouver trade but it hurts to see him airmailing his play he is clearly not 100%. Don’t get me wrong he’s not on cruise control but he’s just not bringing “it” anymore.
4. During a 2nd period timeout, the Anaheim Ducks organization recognized Bob Murray as being one of 5 people to ever play and manage over 1000 games. That is a great accomplishment that only a few have ever achieved. With that being said it’s time for him to stand out and fix his team and it starts with the head coach. There’s no way I can respect a GM who continues to employ a head coach that has coached the team to not one, but two 8+ game losing streaks. Something has to change.
5. Gibson was stellar once again. Seeing him in person truly is a spectacle. Imagine the season he’d be having if the rest of the team could get together. Due to east coast bias and the “goalie wins,” he’ll lack he will be snubbed of the Vezina once again. With the season the team is having, Gibson for the Vezina is becoming a losing battle. However, should he drag the team to the playoffs he has to be a Hart trophy candidate hands down.  But knowing the NHL, the candidacy will go to players who are already on a really good team.

It’s clear this team needs help and at this point, I am not sure where it comes from. But seeing these problems up close is as scary as it gets