The Anaheim Ducks’ 2020 Wish List – Edition of Hope for the Second Half
By Redan Lopez
10. Keep the Power Play Going
The Anaheim Ducks have had a more effective power play lately, scoring 8 power-play goals in the last 11 games. While they have not scored in the last two games, the club has generated more momentum and chances than earlier in the year.
If the Ducks can take advantage of their power play opportunities, it will go a long way to them winning the special teams battle that can often make the difference in the game.
9. Get More Shots for more second chances
Per NHL.com, the Ducks only generate an average of 29.3 shots on goal/game, 26th in the league. If the Ducks want to have more success, they’re going to have to get more shots on the net.
Compared to their crosstown rivals the LA Kings who get 33.8 on-net/game (T-5th), the Ducks are not doing enough to get pucks to the net. You should not be looking for the pretty or perfect play at all times, but always get the puck to the net and get bodies to the net.
Rebounds will be aplenty and who knows, maybe the Ducks can swipe a few of those in for some greasy goals. At the very least, you can get the defense and opposing goaltenders moving and out of position. Just a thought.
8. Get Healthy
Troy Terry (knee), Derek Grant (shoulder), and Rickard Rakell (lower-body injury) have all been out for an extended period of time. Getting those guys back sooner rather than later would be a huge boost for a team that has a hard time putting the puck in the net.
Grant, who has scored 9 goals as the fourth line center, has been particularly impressive and has done all he can with the ice time he has given. Normally, fourth line centers do not score 9 goals for the entire season.
The Ducks have clearly felt the absence of Rakell, who has 10 goals and 15 goals in 36 games this season. He is one of the few Ducks that can shoot the puck well and opens things up for the rest of the team.
7. Bring up Kiefer Sherwood from AHL San Diego
Sherwood played in 50 NHL games for an injury-ravaged Ducks’ game last year, notching 7 goals and 7 assists. He has not played in an NHL game this season.
The Ducks should consider calling Sherwood up from the minor leagues and give him a look. At the very least, it would give the Ducks a player who is strong on the puck and plays with an edge and something to prove.
Sherwood is not an elite scorer by any means, but he provides energy and contributes in ways the box score does not show.
6. Ease the Burden on John Gibson and Ryan Miller
Ducks’ goaltenders John Gibson and Ryan Miller are the best duo in net in my opinion. However, the team in front of them has not played all that well, forcing them to face an enormous amount of shots and high danger chances.
According to hockey-reference.com, the Ducks have permitted 651 high scoring dangers against while the league average is 587. That’s 64 more than the average team is giving up.
Not to mention, the Ducks rank 28th in the league in total shots with 1,170. The league average is 1,270. If the Ducks play more in their offensive zone rather than defending in their own zone, it would benefit the Ducks twofold – more chances to score goals and less work for the goaltenders.
Needless to say, you are likely to win more games in overtime if you play a lot more in your opponent’s zone.
The Anaheim Ducks do not want to wear out Miller and Gibson, especially as the season moves on.