5 Takeaways: Ducks Lose in Style
The Anaheim Ducks dropped both games of their series against the San Jose Sharks over the weekend, falling 6-0 and 3-1 in the two games, respectively. Friday night’s blowout saw John Gibson get pulled from the game as a result of a third period meltdown. Saturday was a closer affair, but ended with the same disappointing outcomes. To follow that up, they witnessed a 4-2 lead evaporate against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night, eventually bowing out 8-4 in another landslide defeat. Here are five takeaways from what transpired.
Discipline Waning
As a whole, the Ducks have actually been more disciplined this season than in 2019-20. Per Evolving Hockey, the Ducks took the 14th most minor penalties per 60 minutes, and they have fallen to 24th in that regard this season. The trend there is a positive one, but that hasn’t been the case as of late. The Ducks took two penalties that would result in goals against in the first game, and three minors in the second game, none of which can be defined as “good” penalties. The fact that the Ducks rank 19th in expected goals against per 60 minutes of shorthanded hockey doesn’t help much there, either.
Gibson Reaches Boiling Point
Gibson was clearly frustrated after being pulled in the third period in Friday night’s contest, and he had every right to be. The team essentially melted down in front of him, allowing glorious chance after glorious chance. The sterling start to the season that the 28-year old netminder posted is now but a distant memory, as his Goals Saved Above Expected has plummeted to -9.14 in Evolving Hockey’s model. Fatigue, overuse, and plain old frustration may be at play here, but at what point is it time to start asking questions about Gibson’s overall game? Much has been made about Anaheim’s goalie coach Sudarshan Maharaj, and his great rapport with Gibson. The dynamic might still be great there, but could maybe an additional voice be beneficial? It’s something to consider.
Jones With a Beauty
Max Comtois has deservedly owned the spotlight among Anaheim’s young forwards this season thanks to his team leading 9 goals, but it might be time to give Max Jones some recognition there as well. Although not nearly as prolific as Comtois, Jones is starting to hit his stride, as exemplified by this aesthetically pleasing tally on Saturday night:
Jones showed three elements of his game on that play which have taken a step forward this season: his quickness, as he beats his opponent to the loose puck, then the edge work to get the puck into an advantageous position, and finally the quick hands to roof the puck far side on Martin Jones. The former London Knight has always had soft hands, but the improvements in his skating have allowed those skills to be displayed more frequently.
Troy Terry is Very Good
Terry’s name has popped up in the rumor mill lately, although reading between the lines of both Elliotte Friedman and Eric Stephens’ reporting, it’s possible that the news came from the player agent side, as opposed to the team actually looking to shop him. Regardless, Terry thrived on a line next to Trevor Zegras and Adam Henrique against Colorado. Individually, he potted yet another backhand goal, while the line dominated the game to the tune of a 75.64 xGF%. Eakins’ confidence in Terry seems to have ebbed and flowed throughout the season, but there should no longer be any doubt that he deserves to be in the lineup on a nightly basis, especially as his underlying metrics continue to improve:
Wild Wing Makes a Wildly Great Return
I am going to end this on a lighter note. The Ducks’ reverse retros looked amazing against the Avalanche. Everything about them, from the colors, the equipment, to the giant Wild Wing crest was amazing. It’s a complete shame that the Ducks are only wearing these twice given how great they looked, but hey, it’s better than nothing. Hopefully, the franchise will take note of the positive reception to these and introduce as much eggplant and jade into the rotation as possible in the coming seasons.