How to End the Anaheim Ducks Devil-May-Care Attitude
The Anaheim Ducks have finally snapped the streak. Today, the real test begins. Can the Ducks keep the momentum going against the New Jersey Devils?
It has finally happened! The Anaheim Ducks have snapped their 12-game losing streak. While it’s great to see the Ducks in the “w” column for the first time in weeks, many of us are torn about the situation.
It had come to the point where many of us had embraced the streak and come to terms with the reality that the Ducks could miss out on the playoffs for the first time in years. On the other hand, there were many of us who could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Regardless of which camp you find yourself in, I think it’s safe to say that all of us are hopeful that the Ducks can carry this momentum into today’s game with the New Jersey Devils.
The Devils are currently fresh off a two-game losing streak, many of the players disappointed with their performance as of late. Nevertheless, it’s still going to be a challenge for the Ducks to pull off another win.
Game 49: Anaheim Ducks vs New Jersey Devils
Season Record: 20-19-9
Location: Prudential Center — Newark, New Jersey
Time: 10:00 am PST
TV: Prime Ticket
Radio: AM 830
Anaheim Ducks News: The Anaheim Ducks have broken their 12-game losing streak on Thursday night against the Minnesota Wild!
Anaheim Ducks Injuries: Ondrej Kase (UBI), Jakob Silfverberg (LBI), Ryan Kesler (LBI), Ryan Miller (Knee), Corey Perry (Knee), Patrick Eaves (Rib, on a conditioning stint with the San Diego Gulls)
New Jersey Devils Injuries: Joey Anderson (Ankle), Taylor Hall (LBI), Ben Lovejoy (UBI), Stefan Noesen (LBI), Cory Schneider (Abdominal), Miles Wood (LBI)
Anaheim Ducks Player to Watch — John Gibson
In Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Wild, John Gibson had a stellar performance. Leading the Anaheim Ducks to a 3-0 shutout, he made 37 saves. The fact that he didn’t let even one of those shots sneak past him is phenomenal.
The past few games, Gibson has looked exhausted. You can only stand on your head so many times before the pressure starts to make you crack. Nevertheless, he seemed a little rejuvenated during his last appearance between the pipes.
He has, once again, taken possession of the number one spot of goals saved above average (GSAA) throughout the entire league, with 16.25. He has also increased his SV% to .921%. He still also leads the league in saves and shots against.
After Ryan Miller left their last game against the New Jersey Devils, Gibson came to the Ducks aid. He let only in one goal on eight shots after sitting out most of the game, and although the Devils scored three of their own goals, the Anaheim Ducks pulled ahead and won 6-5.
New Jersey Devils Player to Watch — Blake Coleman
New Jersey Devils forward, 27-year-old Blake Coleman, is only playing his sophomore NHL season this year. Drafted in the third round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, he wasn’t expected to be anything more than a fourth line center when he made his debut with the Devils last season.
Nevertheless, he had a decent season, posting 25 points (13g, 12a) during his rookie year. However, because of the influx of other rookies, such as Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt, he was severely overlooked.
Still, he earned himself a shiny new contract. This season, he has proven that he rightfully deserved it. So far this season, Coleman has scored 17 goals with an additional 10 helpers. That currently has him sitting tied for fourth in points.
In the Devil’s past eight games, he also has 8 points. This includes 2 goals and an assist during their impressive 8-5 blowout against the Chicago Blackhawks. He seems to have hit his prime at the very moment the New Jersey Devils needed him most.
Aside from his point production, he has been a great entity for them on the penalty kill and he’s a devil at stealing the puck away from his opponents (pun intended!)
He still has much to learn about what it takes to make it in the NHL, but he has been a great commodity for the New Jersey Devils since he entered the scene last season.
The Anaheim Ducks Three Keys to The Game
Some of you may be wondering, what is a devil-may-care attitude? A devil-may-care attitude is essentially a nonchalant attitude, especially in regards to risk and consequences. For a while there, the Anaheim Ducks suffered from having a devil-may-care attitude and it’s time they broke the cycle.
While we are fully aware that the Anaheim Ducks still have much to work on if they have any hopes of succeeding, these are the three keys we think will steer them in the right direction.
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Keep the Energy Up: The Anaheim Ducks need to play tonight with energy. The New Jersey Devils are a team that has some speed, so playing lax is not an option if they hope to pull off another win.
Being energetic and enthusiastic on the ice will also help the Ducks to play their best. When they lack energy, it is evident and it often ends up coming back to haunt them later in the game.
Isolate New Jersey’s Top Lines: Even with Taylor Hall out of the lineup due to injury, the Devils are still a team that is very top heavy. If the Anaheim Ducks put most of the pressure on their top six, they should have no issues exposing the issues in their bottom six as well.
Randy Carlyle must be very smart about which of his lines he’s going to pair against New Jersey’s.
Get Pucks on the Net: The more you shoot, the more opportunities you will have. Although they won, the Anaheim Ducks had a little trouble generating shots on goal during their last game. Amazingly, they scored three goals in the first period, but they had more than 20 shots on goal.
When your opponent has 37, that is just a recipe for disaster. Nevertheless, the Devils are a team that is easily rattled and with their current goaltender situation, it would be wise to have a nose for the net.
MacKenzie Blackwood is a decent goaltender, with a 6-5 record so far this season, but he’s also missing critical pieces of his team. Keith Kinkaid has been struggling lately. It is still unknown exactly which one of them will be between the pipes for the Devils today.
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