Mar 7, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Alex Kerfoot (15) wins the opening faceoff against Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (14) in the first period at Mullett Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Ducks Host Wild Looking to Avoid 7-Game Slide
Tonight, the Anaheim Ducks face off against the Minnesota Wild for the second time in five days. Their last matchup, a 2-0 victory for the Wild, was the Ducks’ most closely contested 60 minutes of hockey during their abysmal six-game slide, during which they’ve been outscored 31-7. The Ducks won the first game of the season against the Wild back on Jan. 27, and are looking for a victory on home ice to win (and conclude) the season series.
Leo Carlsson returned to the lineup against the St. Louis Blues (March 17). He brought speed, energy, and a spring to the lineup that simply hadn’t existed before his return. He, along with Troy Terry and Frank Vatrano, will be key factors in the game plan tonight. Let’s preview the game by looking at storylines, personnel, and tactics.
Terry, Vatrano & Carlsson Need to Shine
These three forwards remain the most dynamic players in the lineup for the Ducks. Mason McTavish, when healthy, is obviously in the mix as well. Whether the latter plays tonight or not, the Ducks will lean on Terry, Vatrano, and Carlsson for speed, playmaking, and finishing.
Terry scored both goals in the loss to the Blues. Vatrano put six shots on goal, and Carlsson tallied an assist and three shots on goal. When these guys get going, they can put opposing defenses on their heels. It’s really the only chance the Ducks have to come out victorious, because they don’t get consistent offense from any other sources. For about 40 minutes against the Blues, they did exactly that but descended into penalty trouble in the final frame, and the game got away from them.
Penalty Trouble Looming Large Once Again
The Blues were another desperate hockey club in need of points to remain in contention for a playoff spot. The game was tightly contested and heading for a grind-it-out, whoever-wants-it-most type battle to win the third period, but the Ducks made it easy for the Blues right away with three minor penalties in the first half of the period. The Blues scored on each of them and gave themselves a 4-1 lead to work with, effectively putting the game out of reach.
In the last two games alone, against the aforementioned Blues and the Winnipeg Jets (March 15), the Ducks have surrendered six power play goals, three in each game. Their lack of discipline has been a season-long trend, and it has reared its ugly head once again, especially lately. It’s the type of penalties that make them undisciplined. It is the holdings, the slashings, and similar-type infractions that happen when one plays lousy defense or stops skating. There’s simply way too many of them. The Ducks are one of the youngest teams in the NHL, sure, but at some point, that can’t be an excuse for giving up as many goals on the power play as they are. The shorthanded units simply aren’t strong enough to sustain any type of success.
