Ducks and schmucks from Anaheim's Hometown Remix win over the Penguins

Make it five in a row for the Anaheim Ducks, as they ousted the Pittsburg Penguins by a final score of 5-2 on Sunday night. But the end result was just the icing on top of another victory sundae, as the Ducks also debuted the best Hometown Remix jerseys. With a 10-7-1 record, 21 standings points, and a +3-goal differential, the Ducks have climbed back into the playoff picture and are currently third in the Pacific Division. Here are the Ducks and a couple schmucks from the latest Anaheim win.

Duck

Cutter Gauthier

He cannot be stopped, as Gauthier continued his insane goal scoring pace, notching another hat trick in the game against the Penguins.

Gauthier was responsible for 29.34% of Anaheim's expected goals in all situations, which was by far the highest mark for either team. Gauthier's hat trick was also his third in the last 5 games and he has scored 8 goals in the last 4. Gauthier is now third in the entire NHL in goal scoring with 15 goals for the season and is 4th in shots with 72.

Schmuck

Lukas Dostal

Anaheim's number one netminder was healthy scratched for the game against the Penguins, with Laurent Brossoit getting the start instead. Dostal's last outing did not do much to sway the Ducks coaching staff, as he got blitzed for 3 goals on 11 shots, before being pulled from the net. In such a marquee game, Brossoit deservedly got the start, as he has been Anaheim's best netminder, but Dostal should have been the guy instead. Head coach Joel Quenneville is not one to tinker with a winning formula and now that the Ducks have won 5 games in a row, Dostal might not get a start anytime soon.

Duck

District 5 fans

Those who are of a certain vintage or have an affinity for the original "Mighty Ducks" movie were eating good on Sunday night. Seeing the full remix kits in game action for the Ducks, was a sweet dose of 1990s nostalgia. The green color palette definitely popped on screen and was a stark contrast to the modern NHL jersey style. While the Samuelis may never go back to the inaugural Mighty Ducks of Anaheim jersey design, the Hometown Remix was a clever way to satiate the Anaheim fan base without diving headfirst into another makeover.

Schmuck

The penalty kill

For as insane as the Anaheim powerplay has been, first in the NHL with a 38.5 success rate, the penalty kill, on the other hand, has left much to be desired. The game against the Penguins just further highlighted the discrepancy between Anaheim's special teams units, as the Ducks were in full control and had essentially put the game out of reach. But the Pens had other ideas, and with a powerplay and the goalie pulled for the extra attacker with 12(!) minutes left in the game, Brossoit's shutout bid was spoiled.

The Penguins used the same tactic again on their next powerplay and scored again, to pull within 2 goals of the Ducks. While Gauthier's empty net goal essentially iced the game, the powerplay goals surrendered by Anaheim made a 5-2 win, a little more interesting than need be. The Ducks are currently at a 73% success rate on the penalty kill, which is good for 23rd in the NHL. The lack of success on the defensive side of the puck, 3.67 goals per game allowed, has bled directly into the penalty kill. While the Ducks have had recent success by simply outscoring their problems, that kind of playstyle cannot be sustainable long term.

What's next?

The Ducks will host the Nashville Predators on Wednesday night, who are also in the thick of the playoff race and are currently sitting in a wildcard spot with 21 points. And lucky for us, the Ducks will be wearing their Hometown Remix jerseys again.

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