Anaheim Ducks: Three Keys to Going Wild for a Win
By Ciara Durant
The Anaheim Ducks have made a lot of changes over the past few days and they are hoping to snap their 12-game losing streak tonight against the Minnesota Wild.
Who is this team? The Anaheim Ducks have made so many moves in the past few days the team looks significantly different.
Over the past week, Bob Murray has made four trades that he hopes will benefit his team in breaking free from their atrocious losing streak. This has included him trading away a veteran leader, one of his leading goal scorers, and one of his best AHL players.
After their loss to the Detroit Red Wings, Murray has made his message clear. While his changes are still questionable, he has stayed true to his word.
It’s going to be a difficult game, especially as the Anaheim Ducks get used to all the new faces. However, I think it’s safe to say we all have our fingers crossed that at least one of these moves is going to save the team from utter embarrassment tonight.
My guess? Let’s just say I’ll be keeping a close eye on Max Jones and Troy Terry.
Game 48: Anaheim Ducks vs Minnesota Wild
Season Record: 19-19-9
Location: Xcel Energy Center — St. Paul, Minnesota
Time: 5:00 pm PST
TV: Prime Ticket
Radio: AM 830
Anaheim Ducks News:
–Pontus Aberg has been traded to the Minnesota Wild for Justin Kloos.
–Luke Schenn and a 7th round draft pick have been traded to the Vancouver Canucks for Michael Del Zotto.
–Joseph Blandisi has been traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Derek Grant.
-Troy Terry, Max Jones, and Andrej Sustr have been called up from the San Diego Gulls.
–Kiefer Sherwood and Jake Dotchin have been sent down to the San Diego Gulls. Patrick Eaves joins them on a conditioning stint.
Anaheim Ducks Injuries: Ryan Kesler (LBI), Jakob Silfverbeg (LBI), Ryan Miller (Knee), Corey Perry (Knee)
Minnesota Wild Injuries: Mathew Dumba (Chest), Eric Fehr (UBI)
Communicate With Your Teammates
Communication has been an issue for the Anaheim Ducks all season. However, it is more important now than ever.
With the addition of quite a few new faces tonight, it’s imperative that if they want to have a successful game, they make a joint effort to communicate with their linemates, the blue line, and their goaltender.
If a team lacks good communication skills we see avoidable mistakes happen. Passes don’t connect, players aren’t aware of their surroundings, and the other team then gains the advantage.
Good communication also focuses less on “what are you doing?” and focuses more on divulging the answer to the question, “why are you doing that?”
Don’t Be Discouraged
The Ducks need a large dose of enthusiasm shot into their veins. They looked discouraged before, and with all the changes that have been made, they’re bound to be discouraged more than every before.
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While hockey is a business and trades happen, it’s never easy watching your teammate be traded to another team. Especially when you lose four of them in the span of a week.
As I have said, if they walk around defeated and discouraged, they’ve already lost the game. Discouragement leads to distractions and the Anaheim Ducks need to be 100% focused on the game tonight.
Plus, their discouragement leads to the fans discouragement and right now that’s the last thing any of us need. They should go out there tonight with their heads held high, forget that a thirteenth loss in on the line, and just have fun.
If they lose, at least they will know that they tried everything humanly possible to win tonights game.
Don’t Rest on Your Lead
I say it time and time again, play all 60 minutes of the hockey game! Especially when you have the lead. This has become a very bad habit the Anaheim Ducks have taken on in the past few seasons.
The Ducks went into the third period with a 1-0 lead against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday and they began to get sloppy. I don’t know if they’re just so unsure of themselves they think John Gibson is going to carry them the whole way or what.
Gibson has proven that he is only human and that relying on him 100% of the time is very illogical. If the Ducks have any hope of snapping their streak tonight, they need to have a nose for the net.
However, what is even more important is playing a solid defensive game in their own zone. Clear the net, make it easier for Gibson. They also Limit the amount of time the other team spends with the puck, especially in their own zone.
The Wild may not be in any better position tonight than the Anaheim Ducks. Nevertheless, there is history here. They’re up against the team coached by their former coach, Bruce Boudreau. Plus, Pontus Aberg has made it very clear that he’s going to give his former team a reason to regret trading him away.
To believe it’s going to be an easy game just proves the Anaheim Ducks are naive. They need to skate onto that ice with fire in their eyes. Anything less than 110% and they’re headed for 13 straight.
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