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Anaheim Ducks: Game seven is deja vu for the Ducks

By Jamaal Artis

Dec 13, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) and center Ryan Getzlaf (15) celebrate a goal by Getzlaf against the Dallas Stars during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) and center Ryan Getzlaf (15) celebrate a goal by Getzlaf against the Dallas Stars during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Once again, we see the Anaheim Ducks heading to a game seven in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

If the definition of insanity is doing the same action over and over again but expecting different results, then the Anaheim Ducks certainly fit the bill.  For the fifth year in a row, the Ducks find themselves at home for a game seven after blowing game six that would have ended the series.

For Ducks fans, unfortunately, they’ve seen this story before and it hasn’t ended well, each of their last four game sevens has ended in a loss at home.  If the Ducks want to advance past the Edmonton Oilers, they’ll have to exorcise some demons.

When the Ducks made their miracle comeback in Game five, it was the younger Oilers who were supposed to falter.  But now momentum has swung the other way as the Ducks were shellacked in 7-1 in game six.  The Ducks came out slow and sloppy, allowing the Oilers to race to a 5-0 lead and guaranteeing the worst fears for Ducks fans.

If the Ducks are going to want a different result this year some things will have to change.  To start off the Ducks can’t start the game from behind.  Like game 6 against the Oilers when the Ducks found themselves down 5-0, game seven starts have been the death knell for the team.

The Ducks have only scored one goal in their last four game seven losses in the first period and they have never led coming out of the period.  That means that inevitably the Ducks come out playing from behind and in playoff ho, key it leads to mistakes, the Ducks will need to have a better start if they want to beat the Oilers.

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If the Ducks want to win the big guns are going to have to show up.  By big guns, I mean captain Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry.  Collectively known as the “Twins,” Perry and Getzlaf are synonymous with each other.  Drafted in 2003, they both debuted together in 2006 and were part of the same line when the Ducks won the Stanley Cup in 2007.

As leaders of the team, Getzlaf and Perry have not been able to return the Ducks to Stanley Cup glory.  Part of the reason the Ducks have struggled in their game 7 losses falls on Getzlaf and Perry.

Combined they’ve accounted for just five points and only Perry has managed to score a goal in any of the four losses.  Last year was the worst result as neither registered a point.

If the Ducks are going to win Getzlaf and Perry will have to step up and take the team over the top. They’ll have to the team as they did in Game five when Getzlaf scored the first goal in their comeback and when they won it in OT on Getzlaf’s pass to Perry.

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If the Anaheim Ducks are going to win they’ll have to remember their past failings and avoid the early deficit, and their top guns Getzlaf and Perry will have to lead the charge in reversing the Game seven misfortunes.

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