The Anaheim Ducks have won 2 straight and have climbed from the depths of the West to tie for the last playoff spot. After slaying the Devils’ lair, Can the Ducks make it three in a row and soar into the top 8?
Two! Make it two! After the Anaheim Ducks broke the “midnight” losing streak in the State of Hockey, Minnesota, the Ducks then flew to New Jersey, hoping to make it consecutive wins.
Though they gave up the first goal of the game, the Ducks young guns, Daniel Sprong, Troy Terry, and Derek Grant scored to give the Ducks a narrow 3-2 victory. Though not pretty, these new-looking Ducks are flying high and today is a chance to climb back into the top 8 of the Wild Wild West.
It’s still too early to say that the Anaheim Ducks are officially back. However, the fact that the losing streak is finally behind them, combined with the young guys reviving this team, it’s possible that these Ducks are about to take flight again and compete against the West’s premier contenders.
Though in ninth place behind Minnesota due to one less game played, the Ducks are in prime position as their division rivals Edmonton and Vancouver are struggling mightily. If the Ducks win today and Wednesday, the All-star Break will have a more positive outlook.
Yesterday, the Anaheim Ducks called up Sam Carrick, a center from the San Diego Gulls. In the wake of Ondrej Kase‘s injury, this move can still be productive two-fold. On one hand, with Kesler, Silfverberg, and Kase out due to injury, the Ducks need the young guys to pick up the slack and give the Ducks a scoring punch.
On the other hand, the Ducks have struggled to match up with those who play a speed game, but with these new guys joining the team, it may level the playing field when they go up against their Western rivals.
Game 50: Anaheim Ducks v. New York Islanders
Season Record: 21-19-9
Location: Barclays Center – Uniondale, New York
Time: 12:00 pm PST
TV: Prime Ticket
Radio: AM 830
Anaheim Ducks injuries: Ondrej Kase (UBI), Jakob Silfverberg (LBI), Ryan Kesler (LBI), Corey Perry (Knee), Ryan Miller (Knee), Patrick Eaves (Ribs, on a conditioning stint in San Diego)
New York Islanders injuries: Thomas Hickey (UBI), Andrew Ladd (Leg), Tom Kuhnhackl (Illness), Linus Soderstrom (Shoulder)
New York Islanders Player to Watch — Mathew Barzal
Mathew Barzal leads the Islanders in total points with 44, so the Ducks must key in on him. What makes him so dangerous isn’t how many goals he scores, rather by his passing abilities. If the Ducks don’t find a way to stop him and his line-mates, it could be a long day for the Ducks in the Barclays Center.
Anaheim Ducks Players to Watch — Troy Terry and John Gibson
Now, some may ask why I picked these two guys to be the players to watch, well pull up a chair and I’ll tell you why.
John Gibson has been the mainstay, the bedrock, and the reason why the Anaheim Ducks season hasn’t gone completely gone downhill. Save after save Gibson has kept the Ducks in games which they had no business being in.
Though he must continue his goaltending awesomeness, the key for him is not to be barraged by shot after shot so he can stay fresh.
Meanwhile, Troy Terry is a key cog for the Ducks because of his youth and his speed. After his performance yesterday, all of Ducks Nation hope that it’s not a one-time thing, but signs of great things to come.
Though he’s young and may make mistakes, if Terry can show that his coming up to the big show isn’t a flash in a pan, but a spark that doesn’t fade away, these Ducks can go back home to Cali on a high note.
Three Keys to the Game
Stay out of the Penalty Box: The Anaheim Ducks gave the Devils four power-plays, and while they didn’t give up a power-play goal against them, giving the Islanders multiple power-plays would be costly. These guys are no joke, with Barzal, Anders Lee and Brock Nelson the top three goal scorers for the Islanders, so the Ducks must avoid playing with fire
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Gib Him a Break: Gibson has been the Ducks’ main workhorse, having to carry the team while Ryan Miller recovers from injury. To keep him from getting tired, the Ducks must use the young guys’ speed and skill to push the Islanders back into their own zone.
Yesterday against NJ, the Ducks could only muster fourteen shots, and while they got the win, the Ducks have to find ways to push the Islanders’ offense into their zone.
J-G-T, 1-N-C, Hit It!: The Ducks’ newly formed third line of Max Jones, Troy Terry, and Derek Grant will be key for the Ducks because they’ll be relied upon to not only provide offense but to shut down whoever the Islanders put out on the ice.
Though new to playing with one another, their combined two-way skill-set can be the key to slowing down a highly potent Islanders squad who is hot playing at home.
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