Pucks of a Feather
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Anaheim Ducks: Can Playoff Dreams Still Take Flight?

By Jonathan Watson

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 7: Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks waits for a faceoff against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 7, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Ducks 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 7: Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks waits for a faceoff against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 7, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Ducks 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Anaheim Ducks
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 01: Kurtis MacDermid #56 of the Los Angeles Kings and Nicolas Deslauriers #20 of the Anaheim Ducks fight during the second period at Staples Center on February 01, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Putting the F in Fight

Over the last few games, sans Calgary 6-0, the Ducks have shown that the fight in this team has stuck despite what has happened. When things looked bad, the Ducks relied on their moxie and grit to push games to overtime, and they either lost barely but gained a point, or they ended up victorious. Either way, the Ducks have shown that they haven’t given up yet, which was the one thing that was absolutely lacking last year. They have put back the F in Fight, and that is one thing Ducks fans can and will appreciate.

For example, during their five-game road trip, three of the five games went into overtime or shootout, and the Ducks gained four of six games that went into extra time. No matter how big the deficit was, the Ducks showed that when push came to shove, they weren’t going to lay down and die, they did everything they did to make things interesting. After the Calgary game, they will have twenty-five games remaining, including the rescheduled Blues contest. If they want to make the playoffs, they’ll have to win more than lose, but if they do lose, pushing the games into overtime or a shootout could be beneficial.

One of the ways that the Ducks have shown fight is having each other’s back. Last year, when the guys got pushed around, no one was there to have each other’s back. This year, the attitude is different, and I credit that to the veterans who are protective of the rookies, making sure that they don’t get roughed up. When the veterans step up and protect the young guys and not let them get crushed by the opposition, then the young guys have the belief that they belong and, more importantly, the team is one.

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