CONNECT!
  • PODCAST
  • ITUNES

SIGN UP FOR
OUR NEWS LETTER

MAKE A DONATION

DONATE

VIDEO: Ducks Continue Losing Streak; Henrique On Waivers

Photo: AP

By Richard Gonzalez

The Anaheim Ducks (6-8-3) were back at it again playing the Minnesota Wild (7-6-0) and trying to get some redemption from Thursday’s 3-1 loss. The Ducks made even bigger news prior to the game when they announced Adam Henrique was placed on waivers; hence, he was made a healthy scratch for tonight’s game.

David Backes and Nicolas Deslauriers would draw back into the lineup. Josh Mahura would make his season debut with the Ducks. John Gibson and Kaapo Kahkonen would each get the starts for their respective teams. The Wild would get on the board twice in the first and would defeat the Ducks 5-1 to spoil their redemption and this all happened after a difficult decision was made.

The Game:

The Ducks continued their dry and boring play from the last game and bought it to start this game. They played flat and did not provide enough support for Gibson. Mats Zuccarello and Kevin Fiala would gave the Wild a 2-0 lead. Each team would take two penalties each, including Max Comtois‘ double-minor for his couple of gloveless swings. Neither team would score with the man advantage.

Fiala extended the Wild’s led to 3-0 when he capitalized on the hooking penalty against Troy Terry. The Ducks did show more life and fight in this second. They pushed their way to eventually get their first goal of the game. Backes gets a tip-in shot from Muhura to give the Ducks a little life and provide some hope for the third period.

The Ducks momentum stood in the locker room as the Ducks took the ice to start the third. They allowed the Wild to score two unanswered goals in the third, including an odd man rush on Gibson. Max Jones had a good opportunity to give the Ducks some…well, he had a good opportunity to score, but the two side posts had said no. The Ducks would drop this game 5-1 and get their third consecutive loss.

The Good, the Bad and Ugly:

The Good: Mahura’s performance. He looked great in his season debut. Created multiple scoring chances and even helped the Ducks get on the board. The Ducks did manage to pick up their physical game too. We got a little glimpse of those scary dirty Ducks.

The Bad: They gained some momentum and felt like at times they outplayed the Wild in that second period, but it was short lived. It is bad when they know what exactly they must do but fail to keep doing it. It is either they got lazy or flat out did not care. Regardless, it was bad.

The Ugly: Bob Murray and his over and over questionable decision making. Regardless of the outcome, this waiver news was going to land him on the ugly list.

Analysis:

This was another bad game, but it was not as bad as the last game. It was a wee bit better, but not by much. I believe this team has talent and we see some flashes of it. Jones showed some speed and grit driving the net. Being in the mix of the physical play too. Comtois trying to drop the gloves, but an unwilling Wild player declined his offer. He tried to spark some energy or was just pissed off. It still added good things for the Ducks. Carter Rowney getting his sixth team leading assists too. This team is just not clicking at all. There is zero chemistry or heart in these games.

I am not questioning their dedication to the game, but only saying what is being projected. Something needs to change ASAP and all signs point to Murray being relieved of his duties. This team needs to get back on some sort of tracks before they could even consider moving forward.

Next Game:

The Ducks will take on the Coyotes on Monday February 22, 2021, at 6:00 PM in Arizona.

Adam Henrique:

I am not sure how appropriate it is to curse in my writing, but this situation is absolute bull s*it. Adam IS alone in all this and is being used to mask a bigger problem within this organization. No decision is difficult when it is the right one to do. Obviously, this was another bad decision made by the Ducks GM.  

Henrique is underperforming, yes. His contract is not a great one either. However, there is zero reason for him to be placed on waivers. Regardless of if the team feels that he will not get picked up. I am sure this will fire Henrique, but it will probably leave a bad taste in his mouth and to the rest of the Ducks. This team will not ever reach success with what is going on now and it seems one of the major issues will not accept personal responsibility for this team’s lack of success.

Support us by becoming a DucksNPucks patron! Members can win game tickets, a $200 Cool Hockey gift card, and more!

Want to start your sports media career? Then Join The Puck Network!

DucksNPucks is part of The Puck Network, which covers the entire NHL. There are openings to cover your favorite team(s) and earn school credits! If you are interested, then apply by filling out the form here: Join Our Team. What are you waiting for? Start your sports media career TODAY!

February 21st, 2021

PICK A TEAM

chigago blackhawks

Chi-Town Hawks

anaheim ducks

Ducks N Pucks

boston bruins

Bruin Strong

carolina hurricanes

Carolina Caniacs

colorado avalanche

Denver Avs

arizona coyotes

Coyotes Howl

Buffalo sabres

Sabres Den

columbus blue jackets

Blue Jacket Army

dallas stars

Shootout Stars

calgary flames

Fierce Flames

detroit red wings

Red Wings Town

new york islanders

Long island Pucks

minnesota wild

Rink Wild

edmonton oilers

Ice Oilers

florida panthers

Roaring Panthers

new york rangers

Fighting Rangers

nashville predators

Preds N Pucks

los angeles kings

LA Royalty

montreal canadiens

Hockey Habs

new jersey devils

Puck Devils

st.louis blues

Break Away Blues

san jose sharks

Bay Sharks

ottawa senators

Slap Shot Sens

philadelphia flyers

Furious Flyers

winnipeg jets

High Flying Jets

vancouver canucks

Canucks N Pucks

tampa bay lightning

Bay Bolts

pittsburgh

Pens N Pucks

toronto maple Leafs

Just Leafs

washington capitals

Capital Pucks