2017 NHL Playoffs: Anaheim Ducks Game Six Loss For the Best

In the 2017 NHL Playoffs all games of all series have been entertaining to watch even the series that are short.

There have been upsets, dominance, disappointment, drama, and exciting games to watch in these 2017 NHL Playoffs.

Of course, the Anaheim Ducks have been the center of attention of all things drama. After an early exit from the first round of the 2016 playoffs, they advanced to the second round this year.

They struggled early on in the second round losing the first two games of the series at home, then bounced back to win the next three. Not only did they lose in game 6, they were demolished and now the series is tied at three apiece heading back to Anaheim.

The Ducks will look to move on to the Western Conference Finals. It has been two years since they last made the Western Conference Finals. Additionally, Anaheim has gotten some favor or momentum going their way in the 2017 NHL Playoffs.

Last night they were demolished, allowing a plethora of goals, while only scoring one as a team themselves. Yes the game ended the way it started horrendous.

However, when looking at the stats in the box score the game doesn’t look bad at all. Actually, on paper it looks like it was a close game. The only difference is the amount of power plays the Edmonton Oilers received.

Anaheim only earned three power players and were unable to make anything happen. On the other side of the ice the Oilers earned seven power plays and made things happen twice.

The Ducks earned many penalty minutes, hence why the Oilers had so many power plays. Also, the Ducks only had possession 45% of the time during the game to their opponents 55% of the time.

Although Anaheim lost, they were still able to attempt many shots on goal. Actually, they attempted the same amount of shots on goal as did the Oilers, which is 35.

Anaheim kept it close on paper in the box score, despite losing in a few categories. They did win a few categories. For example, they had 46 hits to their opponents 42 hits.

Also, they had more blocks 19, to the Oilers 11. Additionally, they even won the giveaways category although they didn’t win the game. Edmonton had 14 giveaways, while the Ducks only had nine giveaways.

This stat shows you the offense wasn’t doing great or horrible, they just couldn’t get anything going. Basically, they had no momentum.

If anything the defense was to be mostly at fault for this loss. They would be at fault for allowing that many goals in a series that has been close.

Also, let me remind you both teams had the same amount of shots on goal and the Ducks just couldn’t convert. Therefore if the Ducks are to win game seven their defense will need to hold their ground.

Why you ask? It is so they can at least hold the Oilers to no goals if the Ducks can’t score which will, in turn, lead to a penalty shootout. However defense leads to offense, so if the defense can make plays it will lead their offense to make plays.

There were plenty of fights in this game, which may have even increased the views for this series alone. Now the Ducks must win game seven of the series or they will be eliminated from the 2017 NHL Playoffs.

However, what if the Ducks loss is for the better? Yes, this question even baffles me. It does make sense to some degree though.

https://twitter.com/AnaheimDucks/status/861419463115198468

Obviously, the Ducks want to win and move on, then they can rest. However, then come the WCF against the fiery National Predators they could lose momentum. Also, the Predators eliminated the Ducks round one in the 2016 NHL Playoffs.

After losing game six of the 2017 NHL Playoffs in a disappointment, all the Ducks can do is move on and learn from the past.

Now they must focus on the next game. They have to take it one game at a time and not get ahead of themselves.

Does the Ducks loss have meaning behind it? What if the Ducks loss if for the better of the team? If the Ducks loss has meaning then they should be able to expose the Oilers in game seven.

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Since the Ducks are going back home for game seven, losing may have actually been the smart choice by them. While playing at home they can gain momentum as they will have home ice advantage for the WCF if they win game seven.

Also, you would want to rest your players game six and come back strong game seven to win it all gaining momentum. Additionally, the Ducks could have allowed the Oilers to use all their energy and perhaps expose themselves.

It makes sense if we look at each game it has been close by one goal except for game six. Therefore the Ducks may be doing something right.

Last time Randy Carlyle was the Anaheim Ducks coach they won the Stanley Cup. It just all adds up and makes sense. We shall see come Wednesday night.

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In conclusion, Randy Carlyle has a plan. Carlyle likes to win and maybe losing horrendously will help the Ducks bounce back.

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2017 NHL Playoffs: Anaheim Ducks game six loss may be for the best

By Corbin Warnock | May 10, 2017

In the 2017 NHL Playoffs all games of all series have been entertaining to watch even the series that are short.

More from Anaheim Ducks