The Anaheim Ducks are winning the Pacific Division, but need to finish strong over the last five games
The Anaheim Ducks are an interesting team heading into the NHL playoffs. After a sluggish February where they won just four games of a possible 11, the Ducks are tearing it up in March. After last night’s overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets, the Ducks were 10-2-1 over the last month, and have five remaining games in April.
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The most important game will happen tomorrow night, where the Ducks will take on the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers are currently second in the Pacific Division and are just one point back of the Ducks five games remaining as well.
In what is a very talented division, the Ducks have absolutely dominated over the last four years. After finishing last in 2011-12, the Ducks have bounced back with four division titles, which include two Western Conference titles as well.
This year would have marked the first time the Ducks failed to clinch the division. However, they have turned things around in a big way, and have some new talent to thank for their resurgence in 2016-17.
The Rise of Rickard Rakell
Rickard Rakell had a solid turnout last season, but his overall pace this year has been spectacular. Leading the Ducks with 32 goals, Rakell is proving himself in 2016-17.
In 66 games, Rakell has 47 points, with a plus-9 rating, and a whopping 10 game-winning goals. What is even more impressive is his 19.4 shooting percentage at 165 shots. He is proving to be a legitimate goal scorer at the NHL level and could squeeze into a top-six role next season.
His powerplay abilities are also impressive. He currently has five goals with the man advantage and 10 points overall. He adds tremendous depth to an already strong offensive team and could be an X-factor when the NHL playoffs roll around.
Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry are Back
Both Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry are franchise cornerstones in Anaheim. They will likely finish their careers in Southern California and have been the faces of the franchise for more than a decade.
Both players were looking at declines as the season hit the halfway mark. However, over the course of March, vintage Getzlaf-Perry hockey has been on display.
Perry is looking at career lows across the board. However, his month of March has been spectacular. In 14 games, Perry had three goals with 14 assists, showing he still has the playmaking side to his game. Getzlaf, on the other hand, is on a completely different tangent. Over his last 10, Getzlaf has two goals and 12 assists.
Needless to say, with Getzlaf and Perry back on track, the Ducks look like a scary team heading into the NHL playoffs.
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Looking across Western Conference, the Ducks have been one of the best teams over the last month.
They have found the right balance on their lines, and their defense has really stepped up. With a solid goaltending tandem in John Gibson and Jonathan Bernier, it will be intriguing to see how far the Ducks can get in the NHL playoffs.