Ondrej Kase is confirmed to return to the Anaheim Ducks lineup tonight against Minnesota, giving the team a much-needed boost of energy.
Head Coach Dallas Eakins has confirmed that Ondrej Kase will return to the lineup tonight against the Minnesota Wild. After an unfortunate collision during the game against the Dallas Stars, Kase has been sidelined for the last five contests with a bruised jaw. His return to the lineup could give the Anaheim Ducks a big boost of energy that has been missing since his injury.
The Ducks have won two of the last three games in their homestand, but something has been missing. Their first periods are weak, and it often leads to the opposing team walking into the first intermission with the advantage. While they tend to start playing better in the second and third periods, they have been missing the energy needed to drive the pace of the game early in the first.
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At just 23-years-old, Ondrej Kase has often been that source of energy for the Anaheim Ducks. His presence in the lineup may not fix their first period woes, but he adds an important level of passion and dedication to their roster. Whenever he is on the ice, you can tell that he loves to play the game. It doesn’t matter if the team is winning or losing, he comes out with the same energy every time. It makes sense as to why he’s been nicknamed the Energizer Bunny.
"“He’s such a great energy guy. It starts right when he walks into the rink in the morning. He has a smile on his face. He loves to practice. You can see his energy and his passion for the game. That’s really contagious.” –Head Coach Dallas Eakins"
It can only be assumed that Kase will resume his place as one of the Ducks top-six forwards. Where he will slot in, however, remains to be seen. Nevertheless, the young Czech is bound to be motivated after being sidelined for an extended period of time. Especially in the wake of his seven-game goal-scoring drought prior to his injury.
Kase was predicted to have a breakout season prior to his injury, and there is still plenty of time for him to do so. However, it is imperative that he becomes a solution to the Ducks goal scoring issues upon his return. His spot on the power play could be jeopardized if he cannot convert on the one-man advantage and start putting pucks in the back of the net.
Still, despite getting caught up in the goal-scoring troubles the rest of the team has been facing, his return to the lineup is a shimmer of hope in the aftermath of a disappointing 3-2 OT loss against the Chicago Blackhawks. As Eakins mentioned, OK25’s energy is contagious, and hopefully, his return to the lineup will reignite the spark of lively energy we saw at the beginning of the season.
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