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Ducks: Three Takeaways from Friday’s Disappointing Loss

By Jamaal Artis

Mar 10, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues center Paul Stastny (26) celebrates after defenseman Joel Edmundson (not pictured) scored the game winning goal against Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson (36) during the third period at Scottrade Center. The Blues won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues center Paul Stastny (26) celebrates after defenseman Joel Edmundson (not pictured) scored the game winning goal against Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson (36) during the third period at Scottrade Center. The Blues won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Anaheim Ducks have had a relatively successful season thus far. With that being said, how did they fare against the St. Louis Blues?

With 19 seconds left the Ducks shockingly squandered a chance to gain some points on the road and stay on pace to retain home ice advantage at least for the first round of the playoffs.  Here are three takeaways from their 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues.

Slow Start

Both in the first period and the third period the Ducks slept walked through the first few seconds and they got burned for it.  In the first period the Ducks won the opening face off but then quickly turned the puck over to Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko, who beat Ducks goaltender high stick side just 12 seconds in for a 1-0 lead.

In the third period this time with the score tied 2-2 the Ducks defense again fell asleep, just 25 seconds into the period this time when Blues forward Paul Stastny waltzed past two defenders and scored by going through Gibson’s legs.

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Shots/possession

The night after giving up a whopping 43 shots, the team found themselves down in shots 27-12 after the Stastny goal in the early third period and would give up 35 for the game.  Shots in themselves is not always an indicator of a problem but, when you are giving that many two nights in a row it shows that the Ducks aren’t able to keep possession of the puck and their goalies are getting peppered.

Anaheim will need to clean up this aspect of their game or else a trip to the playoffs won’t be guaranteed.

Standings

The Ducks are in serious trouble thanks to the loss as both the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames are nipping at their heels in the Pacific Division.  If the Ducks fall out of the top three they put themselves in the wild card spot, erasing any chance of home ice at any point in the playoffs.

Next: Three Questions for UCLA After Close Victory

The Ducks will have to regroup as they come home and face the league leading Washington Capitals on Sunday.

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