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16-15-7, 1.03 p/g |
26-8-5, 1.46 p/g | |
Western Conf: T-10th | Western Conf: 2nd |
9:00 p.m. MST | Sportsnet
Top Story: The Ducks are a wonderfully lucky team. 39 games into their season and they've managed to capture 1.46 points per game - a 120 point pace for an 82 game season. But they aren't that good. They rode the percentages early - both goaltending and shooting - and staked themselves an early lead in the division. The Ducks' power play is outstanding (5th in the league), but the penalty killing is weak (24th). Goaltending at even strength has been stellar (7th), though slipping, but their possession game has been terrible (22nd). If this were an 82 game season, the Ducks, like the Avalanche, Stars and Wild before them, would probably fall through the standings in the second half. Like the Avalanche, however, they've staked themselves to a large enough lead to hang on to a playoff spot, in this case, probably 7th.
But because luck rules a 48 game season, the Ducks are going to win their division. If only Stars and Wild fans were so lucky.
The Oilers are saying:
"Never in the history of the NHL has a rookie at that level began with an almost half a season in the American league at an average ice time of 30 minutes, and then being called upon to follow it up with the most compressed 48-game schedule in NHL history. I think he's doing an excellent job with it."
--Ralph Krueger, on Justin Schultz. This is just a weird quote all around.
The Opponent is saying:
"He's one of the best players in the world, a big piece of our puzzle, and any time he's not in the lineup, it's definitely going to hurt. Our goal was to have everyone step up. We've got to do better, even more to fill in for his absence."
--Emerson Etem, on the Ryan Getzlaf
Doughty rules.
Key matchup: Ralph Krueger allowed his fourth line on the ice against the Kings and, predictably, the line had problems doing anything useful. Keep them off of the ice and get Taylor Hall more time against everyone and anyone. Carry the puck in against this team, don't dump it - except for Cam Fowler, the Ducks defense is not a good puck-moving group, so don't allow them to get the puck easily.