Anaheim Ducks morning news: Week 16 recap; the calm before the storm

Another winter storm is on the horizon and the Anaheim Ducks cooled off, in week 16 of the 2025-25 NHL season. The Ducks extended their winning streak to seven games against the Calgary Flames and then lost a battle for second place against the Edmonton Oilers, followed by being goalied in Vancouver to the Canucks. The Ducks dropped from third place in the Pacific Division, to temporarily holding down the second wild card spot in the Western Conference, with 59 points.

The injuries to Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish, and Troy Terry, seemed to have finally caught up to the Ducks. Their absences from the lineup were especially apparent in the loss to the Canucks, as the Ducks had prime scoring opportunities, but could not finish. The aforementioned trio could have tilted such a game, in the Ducks favor.

However, Terry seems to be on the cusp of making a return to the lineup. And with the Ducks still in the mix for the playoffs, his return would provide a boost to a team that is lacking that extra finishing ability. On to this week's three stars.

Three stars of the week

Third star: Lukas Dostal

Dostal went 1-1 for the week, with a .933 save percentage and 1.99 goals against average. He has been the backbone for the Ducks, keeping the team in games, despite the recent drop off in run support.

Second star: Mikael Granlund

Granlund had another productive week, centering the top line, while notching five points (three goals, two assists). Granlund proved that he can be more than a just a depth player and should command a more prominent role in the lineup, once the Ducks are back to being fully healthy.

First star: Beckett Sennecke

Sennecke tied Granlund for the week in scoring, with three goals and two assists too. Sennecke has provided the Ducks with the offense, that the team desperately needs, while the other finishers are absent. Sennecke is still in second place, for the rookie scoring race with 43 points, trailing Ivan Demidov.

Biggest Concern

What has happened to Ryan Strome?

Strome did not play in the Ducks last game against the Canucks and was only on the ice for 4:42 against the Oilers. While Strome only has eight points for the season, he is defensively responsible and capable of playing at center, in a depth role. With all due respect to Ross Johnston and Jeffrey Viel, Strome should be on the ice more. For a Ducks team that is looking for offense, scratching Strome seems like a misplay. Maybe this decision, is a precursor to an incoming trade, but Strome should be in the lineup, at the very least, to showcase his skillset to potential trade suitors.

What's next?

The Ducks return home for a game against the Pacific Division leading Las Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday night, followed by another home game against Seattle Kraken, on Tuesday. The Ducks then go on a two-week break, for the upcoming Winter Olympics. Hopefully, the Ducks can garner another win or two, before a return to regular season action. Stay warm out there