THN.com Blog: Ducks still plucky despite drowning in the West

With an 11-13-6 record, the Anaheim Ducks sit at the bottom of the Western Conference. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)

Edward Fraser
2009-12-10 10:01:00

Through the first 40 minutes of their Tuesday tilt against the Stars, the Anaheim Ducks looked like a team destined to remain at the bottom of the conference standings. Dallas (a team with troubles of its own) was figuratively skating circles around the foul fowl, which entered the contest with five straight losses.

But what a difference a period can make. After closing a three-goal deficit to two late in the middle stanza, Anaheim roared back (or ‘quacked back,’ I suppose) to tie the game and eventually win late in the extra session, 4-3.

The catalyst for the comeback: unknown rookie Dan Sexton, who scored the first and second goals of his career in just his ninth period of NHL hockey.

"I'd say it was probably the coolest feeling,” Sexton told media members after the game. “Take my coolest previous feeling and multiple it by 10, if not more. That is what it was.

"I thought we were due to score. But once it actually happens, you're in shock. To get another one after that, it just felt like a dream."

Sometimes that’s all a turnaround takes, whether it be a game or a season gone wrong – a little enthusiasm from an unexpected source.

And why shouldn’t Sexton be excited? The 22-year-old, after spending a pair of seasons playing college hockey at Bowling Green, had stops in both the ECHL (18 games) and American League (five games) this season before getting his chance in The Show.

It’s tough to put a finger on specifically what’s happened to the Ducks this campaign, but the play from the secondary/depth guys has clearly been an issue. (As has a depleted ‘D’ corps, but any blueline with Scott Niedermayer playing half the game isn’t that bad off.)

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Anaheim’s top-end skaters have held up their part of the bargain – Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry are 1-2 in league scoring since late October and Teemu Selanne had 14 goals before breaking his hand – but contributions from the second line on down are a must for a team to have regular success.

That hasn’t been there for the Ducks; Saku Koivu has disappointed and Bobby Ryan and Joffrey Lupul have been up and down. No one else has consistently stepped up to fill that gap.

It’s unlikely Sexton will be that guy (though stranger things have happened), but it’s almost unfathomable that those wearing the underachieving feathers will stick together. Selanne’s injury will have a responsibility trickle-down that I suspect will light a fire under multiple Ducks. Plus, the addition of Kyle Chipchura was a crafty move that will pay long-term dividends and go a long way towards replacing Sami Pahlsson’s shutdown skill.

A crease correction is also in order. Neither J-S Giguere (4-4-4, 2.64 goals-against average, .913 save percentage) nor Jonas Hiller (7-9-2, 3.13 GAA, .906 SP) have played anywhere near what they’re capable of and one, if not both, will begin to paddle in the right direction sooner than later.

When the turnaround begins, Anaheim will quickly find themselves back where they belong: in the thick of the playoff picture.

Edward Fraser is the editor of thehockeynews.com. His blog appears Thursdays.

For more great profiles, news and views from the world of hockey, subscribe to The Hockey News magazine.

COMMENTS (7)

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texas_ranger Posted
(2009-12-11 10:58:10)

Funny you mention Niedermayer, because he was HORRIBLE in that game. He turned the puck over more times than I could count. The Ducks, when inspired, are one of the most dangerous teams in the leauge. But I've seen them play too many times where it seems like they're only putting in half the effort. I expect that from my beloved Rangers, but not from Randy Carlyle's team.

jcharris99 Posted
(2009-12-10 21:39:33)

I live "there" and as a Kings fan I hate 'em, but I would not be suprised to see the Ducks fight back into the playoff race. The odds might be against it but there have been far greater recoveries.

robr_ducky Posted
(2009-12-10 17:38:45)

How can a team so loaded with talent be in last place? I did expect a dropoff with Pronger gone but the degree they can't hold onto leads, etc. has been pretty unbearable. At this point it seems like we have too much of a mountain to climb, but I'm still trying ot hold onto hope buoyed by last season't comeback. I am getting sick and tired of not having any second line scoring, though, regardless of the personnel. At some point that DOES fall on Carlyle (and yet another slow start). He DOES change the lines too often and it rarely gives a positive spark. If they miss they playoffs he's gone, and of course our goals should be a lot higher than just sqeaking into the playoffs!

a_mac_2 Posted
(2009-12-10 15:55:17)

Does no one remember that St. Louis was in the exact same spot later than this last season. There is a whole lot of hockey left so let the players do the talking.

jmurray Posted
(2009-12-10 15:26:20)

Over the last couple seasons its been about the same start ( minus the Teemu and Scotty Drama of seasons past ) the excuses of new players in the system doesnt hold any water. As i thought last season and this one, the team does not have a consistant game plan or play from one game to the the next, and one thing that has always has bothered me about Randy is that he is always screwing around with the line's and the goalies , how in the heck do youe expect your players to be consistant when you are always changeing the lines ? and how do you expect to have a consistant #1 goalie when you treat the guys like they are batteling for a roster spot ? this is not pre-season! being this far down in the standings this early tells you that unless all of the other Pacific division teams take a month off ( or the Ducks finish this month winning the rest of their games and the other teams don't) the playoffs do not look like a possibility at this time , especially with teams like the Kings who are on fire and look awesome , the divsion is just to tight , but things can change. if the Ducks do not make the Playoffs this season look for a coaching change at the end of the season , the coach drives the bus and blaming the players only goes so far. Peace!

darthyenik Posted
(2009-12-10 14:02:33)

"...but do you live there as well..." What the hell is that supposed to me? ANYWAY, the team has potential up the butt. Ryan, Lupul, and even Koivu have the potential to be good scorers. Hiller and Giguere have the potential to be top 10 goalies. And Selanne has the potential to return next month and get hot, as he did last season. But potential doesn't do much. I think the real problem with this team is Randy Carlyle. I'm not sure he knows what team he's coaching. A team loaded with offensive potential, or the team he's been coaching the last couple years that had Chris Pronger and Francois Beauchemin protecting the goalie.

hark65 Posted
(2009-12-10 12:53:04)

Edward. You write about the Anaheim Ducks, but do you live there as well because I think you're showing your green stripes (lack of hockey knowledge). How in the hell is this team (minus Selanne) going to jump over 7 teams ahead of them to make a playoff spot. Giguiere is playing .500 hockey (very average looking) and they are essentially, a one line team. Shut down Getzlaf, Perry and Ryan and you win the game. Sorry, but Sexton isn't going to replace Teemu's points or experience.