The Ducks head into Tuesday nights battle against the Columbus Blue Jackets with 17 games remaining.  Each game becoming more and more crucial as they’ve shown that winning hasn’t been a priority since the Olympic break.

Just like last season, the Ducks have found themselves in the playoffs a month earlier than necessary.  Over the course of the final 17 games in the 2008-09 season the Ducks managed an 11-5-1 record for 23 points to secure the final position in the playoff lineup.

Chances are they will need a similarly remarkable record to make a repeat appearance. 

Here are a couple of things the Ducks must do if they want to see the post season again.

*as always, feel free to check out the article on Bleacher Report for fun photo attachments*

Scoring

Now that Randy Carlyle has the option to run three scoring lines (not that I’m altogether clear on what those lines LOOK like – they change from day-to-day), the Ducks have no excuses for not putting big numbers on the scoreboard.

At this point, fingers are pointing towards the Olympics and the emotional and adrenal highs and lows from playing in the ultimate international tournament.  However, it’s time these superstars get back to their day jobs and begin taking care of business.  Once again we’re reminded that a team with eight Olympians shouldn’t be losing games in the NHL.

Jonas Hiller

There is no question that Jonas Hiller was a huge reason the Ducks made the playoffs in 2008-09.  He needs to be that same player this season if the Ducks want a chance at the postseason.  Hiller has the opportunity to make or break this season for his teammates and they are relying on his “A” game to put them over the top.

We’ve seen him in action during the regular season, the post season, and now, the Olympics.  The fans know Hiller has the ability to play like an elite net minder (not to mention fresh ink on a new contract to live up to). 

Defense

For the first time this season the Ducks have a defensive system.  Without having to rely solely on the arms of Scott Niedermayer, the veteran captain can get some rest from time to time and allow new players to carry the load.  An obvious upgrade from Ryan Whitney, Lubomir Visnovsky, with the help of Aaron Ward, will have the opportunity win the hearts of Ducks fans all over Anaheim.

Focus

The Ducks will need to play the smartest hockey of the season.  There is no room for error, no place for stupid penalties or lazy power plays.  If the Ducks want to see the post season, they will need to see a great improvement in special teams and most importantly, improved third period play.

This game is 60 minutes boys, it doesn’t need to be more, and it is never less. 

Winning at home

The Ducks started 2010 in the thick of an impressive win streak that ultimately saw them win 11 straight home games.  Since the Olympic break they’ve lost 2 in a row at home.  With 10 of their 17 remaining games at home, a great way to ensure some much needed points would come in the form of dominating once again on home ice. 

In the 31 games played on home ice to date, the Ducks are 19-9-3 (41 points).

On the road

Unlike at home, the Ducks have been absolutely terrible on the road this season.  The final eight remaining games come on the road, and there is no choice but for the Ducks to figure out the means to steal as many points as possible in the other guys’ barn.  With upcoming games against the likes of Edmonton and others such as Calgary and Dallas, who the Ducks are currently battling for position with, hopefully they can make the leaps and bounds we’ve all be crossing our fingers for for months now. 

In 34 games played on the road to date, the Ducks are 11-18-5 (27 points).

Beating the West

With only one of their remaining games coming against a non Western Conference opponent (the New York Islanders), figuring out how to beat the teams in their immediate line of fire is a must.  With many games meaning a four point swing, the Ducks will need to take advantage of teams like Dallas, Calgary, and Detroit if they want to move into the final spot.

Win, outright.  No more overtimes, no more shootouts.  The Ducks must figure out how to close games and ensure 2 point victories.  Every point matters just as much as it has since day one… but at this point in the season when they’ve let so many games slip away, desperation better kick in. 

Ducks fans can do their part by “booing” the appropriate teams.

Hold onto leads

If there is one thing the Ducks have been all too good at this season, it is giving up on games they could have, and should have won.  Recently, after leading 2-0 against Colorado and 3-0 against Montreal, the Ducks gave up on 3 points that would have put them that much closer to the playoffs.  The Ducks need to focus on playing the game at hand, and stop looking at the final product.

Physicality

The Ducks have always been a physical team.  Some of the best assets to the team is the feistiness of players like Troy Bodie, Todd Marchant, Kyle Chipchura, Mike Brown, and Ryan Carter.  If those guys can produce a hectic work environment for their opponents, the Ducks will once again find that they have the upper hand required to wear down the other man.  Add in a stronger dedicated work ethic (coupled with smarter plays with the puck) and Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Bobby Ryan should be able to create a hostile situation that any team would envy.  Five months into this season shouldn’t be the time for the team to figure this out, but here we are anyway, stating the obvious.  Physicality.

Teamwork

With the trade deadline come and gone this team will have to figure out their identity, quickly.  A few new defensemen shouldn’t be enough to cause a stir in the lineup, but it should be enough to create a new passion in this team.  Not to mention, Joffrey Lupul still wants some time to get back on the ice and that will not happen unless this team sees the postseason.  Then they can worry about figuring out the chemistry all over again when and if that time comes. 

Consistency

One of the biggest issues that has plagued the Ducks this season is consistency.  Because of poor play, Randy Carlyle has been forced to juggle forward lines as well as defensive pairs in order to light a fire under players.

While the debate is still hot on weather or not Carlyle is at fault, the fact of the matter is that with so few games remaining the Ducks have no choice but to play as a unit.  Solid passing and simple hockey might be at their best interest.  Heavens knows, they tend to get too fancy at times, and the result is the puck in the back of the net…the wrong net.