Anaheim Ducks Round Table: Can they step up in time for the playoffs?

Thoughts from Redan Lopez

Kesler-Cogliano-Silfverberg Line

The Ducks have long kept the Kesler-Cogliano-Silfverberg line intact for the past couple years. This line has been tasked with playing the opposing team’s best offense line. And while they have done their job defensively as a cohesive unit, a lot offensively is still desired. In the last 10 games, the trio has just combined for three goals and three assists.

That is not a lot.

Kesler not practicing with his linemates on a more frequent and consistent basis since his return from offseason hip surgery may have hurt their chemistry, but it cannot be denied that they have had their chances to cash in front of the net.

Cogliano had numerous chances to put the puck in at last week’s game against the Sharks. Silfverberg has a wide open net to put the Ducks ahead in last week’s road trip against the Red Wings, but failed to do so.

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To me, the most surprisingly ineffective player on this line has been Silfverberg. He is a scorer and just has not done enough on a regular basis this season. Sitting at 13 goals and 14 assists for a total of 27 points through 56 games, Silfverberg is far behind last year’s total of 49 points (23 goals, 26 assists). This is a major disappointment. He needs to find the back of the net more often.

Currently, the Ducks sit 23rd in the NHL scoring at 2.70 goals per game. A lot of it has to do with the lack of production offensively from this line. If the Ducks are to make the playoffs, this trio needs to start putting the puck in the back of the net more, or at least assist their teammates in getting the puck there.

Ducks Power Play

The man advantage has been a troublesome area for the Ducks all season. Currently, they sit at 25th in the league at a 17.5% conversion rate. However, what is most alarming is that they dish out the most power plays to other teams (219) while receiving the second-to-last amount of power plays (166). Only the Edmonton Oilers receive fewer.

The message here is simple. The Ducks need to start capitalizing on the man advantage more, especially if they are receiving so view compared to the rest of the league. More often than not, the special teams have not gone the Ducks way as they have had to defend more on special teams than be more aggressive offensively.

They also need to start drawing more power play opportunities if possible. It would further allow the Ducks to keep play in the offensive zone and aid in winning the special teams battle on a more consistent basis.

The Ducks have shown signs that they are working on the power play. More recently, Coach Randy Carlyle and Assistant Coach Trent Yawney (who works with the power play) mixed up the power play units. The first unit featured Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Adam Henrique as the forwards and Hampus Lindholm and Brandon Montour manning the point.

Cam Fowler and Rickard Rakell were put on the second unit. The switch paid off in last Sunday’s matchup against Minnesota where the Ducks scored on their first power play opportunity – a tap-in goal by Corey Perry inches in the front of the net.

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It’s all about execution for the power play. The Ducks would be wise to make sure they don’t pass up opportunities to score when they are a man up. Needless to say, it would boost their offensive confidence and relieve some of the pressure on their defense.