Anaheim Ducks Look for Revenge Against the St. Louis Blues

It’s been a while since our team here at Pucks of a Feather has been confident in our choices for Three Stars of the Week. Whether it be for a game, the week, or even the season, it has been difficult trying to single out individual performances over a lackluster first two months for the Anaheim Ducks.

Well, here we are, March 3rd, and not only did we have a warranted debate as to who should be the Three Stars of the Week that had us lean on you, the fans, we also have multiple honorable mentions. Well, well, well, how the turntables? Or have they?

The Young Guns Shine but the Anaheim Ducks Still Lose

While strong performances by the young guns have boosted our offense (to an extent), the Anaheim Ducks continue to find ways to lose. The team seems to have found at least some footing on offense, but one would have to go all the way back to John Gibson’s shutout on February 11th to find a game in which a Duck’s goaltender turned in a save percentage above .900%. This is hardly a recipe for success.

Some of this can be blamed on the teams’ defense, which has been hit with the injury bug of late. Hampus Lindholm has missed some time now and Josh Manson remains sidelined. At this point in the year though, many teams are dealing with a similar reality. The Ducks’ opponent tonight, the St. Louis Blues, are missing four centers, a workhorse on the backend in Colton Parayko, and many more.

This is all to say that the Ducks could conceivably win this game, evidenced by a closely contested one-goal game on Monday against the Blues; a team many expect to compete for a championship. The question remains: do they want to win?

Do the Anaheim Ducks Want to Win?

Dallas Eakins has chosen to deploy a less-than-ideal roster for the last week or two (arguably this whole season.) And with the skaters that he does choose to play, the way he has divvied up ice time has been questionable at best.

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The relationship between Bob Murray and the Ducks’ fan base has become dicier and dicier this season. As if we need a reminder; he proclaimed that he was done losing, and the team was in win-now mode prior to opening night. Any onlooker should be able to tell that the Ducks’ current makeup sets them far, far apart from the Colorado Avalanche and the Vegas Golden Knights of the league (not to mention all of the other divisions.)

Hypothetically, let’s say the Anaheim Ducks’ offense has figured itself out. Realistically, let’s assume that Gibson gets back to his normal self. Lindholm and Manson are inching closer to coming back. The team could compete, especially if their effort level remains as high as it was on Monday (emphasis on could.)

Fellow Pucks of a Feather contributor, Benny (Ben Thomasian), has gotten me to reevaluate though, and I don’t think they want to compete. But the Anaheim Ducks won’t come out with that publically.

Ideally, the kids will continue to take strides forward in their long-term development. Max Comtois has been a pleasant surprise. Isac Lundestrom has shown that he can demand a top-six role. And then there’s Trevor Zegras. Why won’t they play him at 5 on 5? He is the future. Eric Stephens said it best in his recent article:

"“Play the kids. This is already a lost season. They are Anaheim’s future. Let’s be real, they’re the ones who are producing in the here and now.”"

Tonight, in the rematch against the Blues, expect the kids to harbor more responsibility. Their confidence is peaking, and if the Anaheim Ducks play their cards right, it will continue to rise. Zegras and Lundestrom ended last Monday’s game on a line with Rickard Rakell, and Eakins loved the outcome,

"“(that line) was excellent, they were our best line by far in the third period.” They are moving in the right direction,” Eakins said. “Obviously, Isac had a great night. All those guys have taken steps forward. Some bigger than others. So, that’s encouraging for the whole organization.”"

Let’s see if the kids can take advantage of the opportunity that lies in front of them.

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