Anaheim Ducks evening news: One step closer to the playoffs at the end of week 21

After defeating the Utah Mammoth last night, in a potential preview of a first round playoff matchup, the Anaheim Ducks have given themselves a little more breathing room with a 2-0-1 record for week 21. With 80 points in the standings, the Ducks still remain atop the Pacific Division, and that's with one of their most prominent skaters, Mason McTavish, watching from the press box for two of those games as a healthy scratch.

The Ducks have 13 games remaining on their schedule. but only three of those games are against teams currently in a playoff position. The Pacific Division crown is there for the taking, as the Edmonton Oilers sit three points back of the Ducks and the Vegas Golden Knights have stumbled down the standings, by going 3-7 in their last 10 games, and are four points back. But the Ducks would not be in this enviable position without some stellar week 21 performances.

Three stars of the week

Third star: Troy Terry

Terry finally returned to the Ducks lineup, in the game against the Canadiens and made an instant impact, by notching three points (one goal, two assists).

With the rest of the forward lines still in a constant flux, the top three of Terry, Leo Carlsson, and Chris Kreider have become the most dependable line for Ducks Head Coach Joel Quenneville. Terry's return has been the main factor in that line's resurgence, allowing all three skaters to play to their strengths.

Second star: Lukas Dostal

Despite being outplayed in the game against the Mammoth, Dostal was the reason the Ducks were able to skate away with a victory, allowing just one goal on 30 shots for a .967 save percentage. The Mammoth had numerous high danger scoring chances, especially while on the powerplay, yet Dostal didn't crack under pressure and ended the night with 2.28 goals saved above expected.

In his past three games, Dostal has posted a .920 save percentage and 2.31 goals against average. If the Ducks hope to make a deep playoff run, Dostal will more than likely have to go on a hot streak, as the defense group is still suspect, at best.

First star: Cutter Gauthier

Gauthier led the Ducks in scoring for the week with four points (three goals, one assist), while primarily skating on the third line.

Gauthier's empty net goal against the Mammoth was his 36th of the season and will give him a real shot at being the first 40 goal scorer for the Ducks, in more than a decade.

Biggest concern

The most obvious and glaring concern is the recent play, or lack thereof, from McTavish. But we've already dissected those concerns, so let's turn our attention elsewhere; Beckett Sennecke and his try-hard rookie mistake.

In the overtime loss against the Flyers, the Ducks entered the offensive zone with control, and Sennecke attempted to make a between the legs pass across the ice to Gauthier. Sennecke flubbed the attempt, the Flyers pounced on the mistake and countered with a two on one rush.

The winner from Noah Cates might have been a greasy goal that Dostal probably wanted back, but the Ducks should have not been in that position. While Sennecke has far exceeded expectations as a rookie and should be in the top three for the Calder Trophy at the end of the season, mistakes like his cannot happen, especially come playoff time. It is one thing to lose a regular season game off of a failed attempt at a flashy pass. In a short seven game series though, a mistake like Sennecke's would be inexcusable. Undoubtedly, Sennecke will have learned from his error and will hopefully make the more prudent play next time.

What's next?

The Ducks will host the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday night, who are also finally playoff bound after years of misery. The Ducks will then head out on a western Canadian road trip with stops in Vancouver and Calgary, before facing off against the Oilers in a matchup that will carry massive playoff seeding implications. Here's to hoping McTavish rediscovers his game and Dostal stays hot.