Ducks 10 Game Review: Games 41-50

Logo: Anaheim Ducks

By Thomas Harrington

Anaheim’s struggles continued over the past 10 games. Overall, the Ducks went 4-6-0. Even with the playoffs pretty much out of sight, the hope is that the Ducks will see improved play from their young players through the rest of the season. This season may be lost, but the future will hopefully be bright.

Best Forward & Defenseman

Ryan Getzlaf was Anaheim’s best forward over the past 10 games. He only scored one goal but led the Ducks with seven assists and eight points. After really struggling in the month of December, Getzlaf rebounded to lead the team over the last 10 games. He’s not the player he once was, but Getzlaf can still be a dominant force on the ice.

Anaheim’s best defenseman over the last 10 games was Cam Fowler. As he has been for most of the season, Fowler just continues to be the team’s offensive leader from the blueline, and one of their better overall defensemen in all areas of the ice. He led the defense in assists and points. While Anaheim has struggled, Fowler could end up having his best statistical season before the year is over.

Worst Forward & Defenseman

Devin Shore was the worst Ducks forward over the last 10 games. He played in eight of 10 games and went scoreless. He was the only forward to play in so many games and go scoreless. With the team getting healthy, he found himself scratched against Arizona. If his play doesn’t turn around soon, he could find himself relegated to the press box more often than not going forward.

The Ducks’ worst defenseman over the last 10 games was Korbinian Holzer. He only played in four games and didn’t play great in them. Despite his limited action, he did pick up an assist. We’ll see how many games he gets as the trade deadline approaches.

Inbetween The Pipes

The Ducks weren’t great in net over the last 10 games. John Gibson started eight games and had a record of 3-5-0. He’s been one of Anaheim’s best players over the last few seasons, but he’s struggled through much of this season. The short-side goal that he gave up against Arizona just epitomizes how this season has gone for him. Ryan Miller started the other two games and went 1-1-0. His numbers were actually better than Gibson over the past 10 games, and I’d like to see him get some playing time as the season goes along.

Anaheim Gets Healthy

On the injury front, Anaheim is actually fully healthy, except for Ryan Kesler and Patrick Eaves. However, several players did miss time with injury over the last 10 games: Jakob Silfverberg, Nick Ritchie, Derek Grant, Troy Terry, and Rickard Rakell. All of them are now healthy and played against Arizona.

Inconsistent Youth

Anaheim’s rookies and young players are still struggling to consistently put up points. Sam Steel, Max Jones, and Jacob Larsson all appeared in all 10 games. Steel scored one goal and four points, Jones scored two goals, and Larsson was scoreless. Steel’s goal was the first overtime goal of his career. Troy Terry played in two games and had one assist. Isac Lundestrom played in six games and had two assists, Max Comtois scored one goal and three points in five games, and Chase De Leo was scoreless in one game. All three players are currently in San Diego.

Final Thoughts

A few more things that caught my eye over the past 10 games. Ondrej Kase scored his first career shorthanded goal and was tied for second on the team in points with six. Adam Henrique led the team with five goals. Daniel Sprong played in seven games and had a goal and an assist. Besides Fowler, Hampus Lindholm, Erik Gudbranson, and Josh Manson were the other three defensemen to score goals for Anaheim. It was Manson’s first of the season.

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Anaheim’s offensive attack continues to be an issue for them, though they do have 12 goals in their last four games. They still aren’t scoring at an elite rate, but if they can score at something close to that level over the rest of the season, they should be a lot more fun to watch down the stretch.

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January 30th, 2020