2009
Time to play what’s wrong in Anaheim.
While I would have found a way to waste some time writing up something about Friday’s defeat at the hands of the Nashville Predators (where is my head?!) Columbus Blue Jackets, it would look very similar to a write up about the loss to Detroit Saturday night.
I’m glad I didn’t waste my time.
It’s easier to point everyone in the direction of previous posts written about Anaheim this season where you’ll find all the answers you’re looking for.
Oh Anaheim, what is your problem?
Over the past few weeks we’ve covered the lack of shooting, terrible defense, terrible offense, a pathetic power play, an awful penalty kill, unstable goaltending, the inability to play 60 minutes, and the always popular missing multi line scoring.
I’m tired of re-living those topics. Instead, a small, very small, flicker of positive.
When Ryan Getzlaf shows up, he’s a monster. Currently leading the league in assists (20), and having played a few games less than most teams, it’s hard to say he’s not doing his job on offense. Although he only has two goals, that’s okay…it means SOMEONE on the team is scoring. While we’d all love to see Getzlaf shoot the puck more, I can’t complain when his linemates are reaping the benefits of his beautiful passing ability.
This isn’t all sugar for you, Getzlaf, because I’ve got some spice to throw your way. Please, move your feet. My throat is sore from screaming at the television. On defense, if you wouldn’t mind, stop passing to the other team. I understand that is your area of expertise, but, your teams defense sucks. You don’t need to give the opposition anymore free handouts.
While Getzlaf isn’t the one scoring goals, someone on his line is.
Who is that guy?
In case you haven’t been watching, it’s Corey Perry (13). He’s only 1 goal behind league leaders Anze Kopitar and Alexander Ovechkin.
What’s the problem with all of this? If we keep relying on the top line to do all of the offensive work, it means the Ducks gave up people like Chris Pronger and Francois Beauchemin for an offensive boost that is doing nothing for the team.
Bob Murray went out and bought the Ducks scoring depth, and we’re not getting it. Okay, Joffrey Lupul gets his first goal Saturday night since the beating the Ducks handed to the Canucks a few weeks prior, but what good does it do when your defense, and lets be honest, Jonas Hiller‘s awful play in net, gives up seven goals. SEVEN!
Teams do not win games when they give up seven goals.
Goaltenders do not play many games when they give up seven goals. Keep that in mind, Hiller.
When it comes to the Ducks, where there is positive, there are handfuls of negative.
There is no point in discussing the lack of shooting, terrible defense, terrible offense, a pathetic power play, an awful penalty kill, unstable goaltending, the inability to play 60 minutes, and the always popular missing multi line scoring.
It’s all negative.
With that, I’ll leave you with something to ponder. How much are the Ducks missing both Saku Koivu and Ryan Carter right now?
In the three games previous to loss of both Koivu and Carter, the penalty kill was 11-13 (84%). Since the loss of these two fabulous face-off men, who are key pests on the penalty kill…the Ducks are 8-14 (57%). So yea, Koivu may not be lighting up the score sheet, or doing fantasy teams very much, and Carter may be your limited ice time bottom 6 forward, but the Ducks are definitely missing those guys right now. They mean a lot more to this team than many may realize.
Finally, the only other positive I have…
At least we’re not Carolina? (That is not a slap in the face Canes fans, I really do feel your pain.)
GO DUCKS!!!
No doubt. This was the first time Ive been really, really angry with the play of the Ducks.
And I mean I was pissed. How can they not play strong defense against a team like Detroit? Damn I have never seen my self fuming as much as I was last night.
Poor Scotty is stuck out there with no help, Wiz is playing so conservative after his suspension that we cant get him to do anything, and then Whitney seems lost on the ice, letting players skate right past him. If Wiz and Whitney dont want to be here, I hope they speak up soon so Murry can find them I new home. Don’t get me wrong, I love Wisniewski, but he can’t keep playing with a stick up his ass.
On the other hand, Jiggy showed us all that he does in fact need to be the starting goaltender. His play against Columbus (You have Nashville in you post btw!) was stellar, that is the Big #35 I fell in love with as a young kid. He kept the Ducks in that game all the way to the shootout, which lets face it, he has never been too good at.
When Hiller let Detroit squeak in #5, 6, in last nights game, my heart sank, and I knew this kid did in fact need to sit a few out. He needs to regain his composure and work with the goalie coach for a couple of weeks to get his game back.
With all this talent, its so hard to watch them fall game after game. I think Loops and Koivu are doing wonders for this team, even if it cant really be seen. All loops needs to do is get his accuracy above oh I dont know.. 3% and we have another great goal scorer on the second line. As for Selanne, well, he needs a break for a bit, sadly he can’t get it. I think we will see this line get back up to where its was and maybe even a bit more, because if we can see the missing chemistry between these three, then they have to know its there. Oh and, who is helping the guys, be it defensive or Offensive, with their puck handling and passing. Aside from Koivu, Marchant, and Getzlaf, our passing is atrocious. Let alone keeping the damn puck on the stick. Turnovers are getting out of hand, and its costing us games.
Which brings me to my next gripe. WHY THE FUCK… pardon my french, didn’t Bobby Ryan pass the puck on the Damned 3 on 1 last night???????!!?!? A pass to either Getzlaf or back to Perry and BOOM score, and boom lead. That is the first time I have ever been pissed at the kid. SERIOUSLY gahhhhh!!! A puck hog is the last thing this team needs right now, thus Getzlaf stepping up and passing. Thats a team leader right there.
So all in all, loooooooooots to work on. Jiggy needs to take his net back, and Koivu and Carter need to heal.. like two games ago.
GO DUCKS!!!
HAHA! Thanks Shawn, I can’t believe I did that (not that it’s an excuse, but I’m sick right now…I’ve edited it)
So many good points here, and as much as I’d like to believe things are going to get fixed with this particular group intact, I don’t think it’s possible. Chances are we’re going to see some moves, and I can’t hide my displeasure with Ryan Whitney. I fear when that guy has the puck.
There are very few bright spots on the roster other than the scoring from the top line, but again, they aren’t playing a complete game either. I thought the same thing about that 3 on 1…funny though, if he had passed it to Getzlaf…it would have meant 1 MORE pass. LOL!