BoC Gameday—Technically, somebody's getting a "W" tonight
Anaheim Ducks (0-2-0, last in west) at Los Angeles Kings (0-2-0, last in west)
Battle of the Basement
Sorry I've been a bit invisible the last couple of days; I've been steering clear of the blog, mainly because of the frustrating play of the Anaheim Ducks. It's not just that they're 0-2 that bothers me (only once in franchise history have the Ducks started 2-0), but it's the manner in which games are being lost that really sucks.
It's a pattern that dates back to the Dallas series last spring, and I've put a table together that lists the last seven times an opponent has broken a tie against the Ducks. All seven times the Ducks also allowed the next goal for a 2-goal deficit, and in six of seven times the lead was extended to 3 goals, on average less than 20 minutes later.
Game | Time Elapsed Until Deficit Extends to 2 | Time Elapsed Until Deficit Extends to 3 |
|---|---|---|
G1 v DAL | 6:09 | 12:33 |
G2 v DAL | 15:00 | |
G2 v DAL | 0:55 | 8:49 |
G4 @ DAL | 32:22 | 40:38 |
G6 @ DAL | 15:32 | 17:46 |
G1 @ SJS | 4:12 | 20:20 |
G2 v PHX | 10:11 | 17:16 |
Last Seven | 7 of 7 | 6 of 7 |
Now I realize not all BoC readers enjoy deciphering time-elapsed-deficit data tables, so I've also illustrated the problem (using both Duck logos!):
"When you're done chewing off my right leg, please help yourself to the left.
And don't forget the tasty throat!"
So the Ducks need to solve two problems:
- Don't turn one-goal deficits into three-goal deficits. This isn't even an option; if this doesn't get fixed immediately I'll pre-order a Tavares jersey. The Ducks have made it entirely too easy to extend leads, either by overfilling the penalty box or by allowing odd-man rushes. They need some goddamn composure, really.
- Don't fall behind so often; put more emphasis on leading. You have to go back 18 games in the Ducks' schedule to find a game where the Ducks had a lead and didn't win the game. Granted, it's not a theory that's getting tested a lot lately, but it does seem to be the easy fundamental to focus on at this point.
As for the 0-2 Kings, Rudy can probably better fill you in, but their problem might be as simple as "let's stop playing the Sharks".
Prediction: Who really can say with this club? Ducks 3, Kings 1. Goals by Klee, Pahlsson, and Pahlsson.
Seriously, Go Ducks.
14 comments:
Is that sweat or tears coming from that mangled Duck?
The Ducks looked pretty bad against the 'Yotes this weekend. Any worries about Father Time?
(Maybe it's just the curse of being my Stanley Cup pick. I'm an idiot.)
Any worries about Father Time?
Maybe a little, though it's tough to pin this on Niedermayer or Selanne's shoulders. Getzlaf and Perry are also not performing very well.
But the Phoenix game is a pretty easy example of this 1-goal deficit turns to 3-goal deficit phenomenon. When trailing even by one, the Ducks seem to give up breakaways and power plays at a stunning rate.
There was some decent play by the Ducks towards the end of the game, but it's frankly that's probably not very meaningful, as Phoenix was sitting on a 3-goal lead already.
Maybe you guys get off to slow starts because they actually call penalties in the beginning of the season.
No doubt, Rudy, and there doesn't seem to be enough alarm from the Ducks in that regard.
The team had success with the penalty-happiness in 06-07, but that was back when (a) the power play was dangerous, and (b) the penalty kill was effective. Right now the Ducks have a lot of apparent entitlement where they don't seem to mind taking stupid penalties especially when the team is already trailing (Getzlaf, I'm looking squarely at you), and somehow that needs to stop, or (a) and (b) need to be re-established.
Right now, it's just being tough instead of tying the game, and that's not impressing anybody.
I can't even call it an early-season phenomenon, though. It plagued the Ducks plenty last spring.
Carter was the only Duck I liked out there. Getzlaf had a nice pass in the 1st period but he pretty much disappeared after that. Niedermayer and Pronger made some sloppy mistakes. A pretty sad opening night
Is that sweat or tears coming from that mangled Duck?
It's actually a delicious marinade.
I said it last year during the playoffs. The difference between Dallas and Anaheim was that Anaheim was falling apart whenever they got scored on, while Dallas (including after the 1st round) kept playing confidently after they got scored on.
This isn't Father Time at work here, losing has been a team (non) effort.
im just gonna pretend the 1st 2 games didnt happen.
Yeah, I nearly decided to write about the Ducks and Kings coming back from "mental London", but I dunno, that's just avoiding real issues.
Is that sweat or tears coming from that mangled Duck?
It's actually a delicious marinade.
One droplet is a mixture of sweat and marinade, the other three droplets are tears. The Ducks have also spent way too much time crying to referees, without doing any of the more meaningful things that lead to power plays or tying goals.
Right now, it's just being tough instead of tying the game, and that's not impressing anybody.
They are not being tough at the right moments either.
San Jose was hittin Scott early and often, and no one I saw cared to address that. Against Phx. they hit Teemu a couple times and got under his skin, again with no response.
Meanwhile, one of our guys brushed against Kyle Turris and he had a fight on his hands instantly (and Turris was not his opponent).
Snap the fuck out of it allready!
Hahaha, that "delicious marinade" reminds me of my unspeakably awful senior prom. My girlfriend actually broke up with me the night before but we went through with it because all the money was spent anyway.
The highlight of my night: duck quesadillas.
Unfortunately, somebody has to win tonight.
This will certainly be a one-goal game. These Kings/Ducks games always are.
Okay now ... just where is the Sharks' gameday write-up?? The Ducks & Kings get two (granted from different view points), and the best of the BoC gets nada??
GO SHARKS!!!!
You must be new here, Angie.
The Sharks guys hardly ever do gamedays -- I suspect out of superstition. They're more post-game specialists, whereas I just mumble drunk once a game's over.
Not new. Been reading the posts for a while, just rarely comment. But that explains it. Always wondered why.
giving up 4 or more goals every game? Consecutive penalties? 0 powerplay conversions? Come on! Absolutely pathetic. They deserve to be in the basement. I'm getting a Tavares jersey. What number does he wear? Hey, at least the Chops have a 2-1 record. I need another beer. 0_o
Go Ducks.
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