Not Playing the Spoiler

Not Playing the Spoiler

At some point, the games of a losing team simply don’t matter anymore, aside from for player-development purposes. That’s when talk shifts away from “playoff” hopes and towards “we’re spoilers” reality. Friday night, the Ducks had that chance, as they took on the...
Placidity Meets Disorder

Placidity Meets Disorder

Anaheim, CA—It’s amazing what a difference a couple of months can make in a team’s psyche. The last time Anaheim faced Nashville, the Ducks were a bottom-feeder, and people were waiting for the Preds to wake up/play up to their potential. The hopes of one team have...
Rookie Sensation Emerges In Anaheim

Rookie Sensation Emerges In Anaheim

Anaheim, CA—Which sounds better: The Anaheim Ducks stood pat at the NHL Trading Deadline, or the Anaheim Ducks did nothing at the NHL Trading Deadline? Doing nothing, in fact, seems to be their GM’s modus operandi. And to look at him, you would have to say that he’s...
Ducks Talking Playoffs

Ducks Talking Playoffs

Suddenly, the Anaheim Ducks are surging. A few weeks ago, we were talking about them like their chances of the playoffs were over. Too many teams to crawl over. Too inconsistent. But in the ten games prior to Thursday, when Vancouver was in Anaheim, they were 7-2-1....
Playoffs? The Ducks? What?

Playoffs? The Ducks? What?

No matter how much they might hope otherwise, the Anaheim Ducks are not in the “mushy middle” in the NHL with nearly two-thirds of the season gone. To say they are, and be sincere about it, you would have to believe that they have a chance to make the playoffs. With a...
Playing the Stanley Cup Champs

Playing the Stanley Cup Champs

LA Kings coach Jim Hiller, talking about what his team would do after a dispirited effort against the Pittsburgh Penguins Monday, said something to the effect that they would retreat and get ready to face the defending Stanley Cup champions. That’s Florida, and they...