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Ducks keep winning despite lack of goal scoring

October 11, 2019, 11:23 PM ET [10 Comments]
Steve Palumbo
Colorado Avalanche Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Anaheim Ducks improved to 4-1 to start the season following a 2-1 victory in Columbus on Friday night. The win comes less than 24 hours after the team suffered its first defeat in Pittsburgh.

Jakob Silverberg and Cam Fowler scored for the Ducks and Ryan Miller made 26 saves for the win.

The Ducks gutted out a tough win playing on the second night of a back-to-back and with another low scoring effort. Anaheim continues to win in spite of averaging just 2.2 goals per game. Anaheim's early success can be attributed to the stellar goaltending of John Gibson and Ryan Miller.

Opponents are averaging 1.2 goals per game and have managed to score more than one goal once this season. Pittsburgh scored twice in handing Anaheim its first defeat.

The Ducks are 2-1 on this four-game trip. They concluded the roadie Monday In Boston before returning to the Honda Center.

Anaheim is playing a more uptempo game but it's not translating to the scoresheet. And the special teams aren't helping the cause. The Ducks power play hasn't scored a single goal this season (0-for-12).

Luckily, the Penalty kill has been killing it - literally. Anaheim's fended off all but one power play this season (Pitt). They have a 92.3% kill rate through five games. The Ducks are doing this despite taking the 6th most penalties (18) in the league. They are tied for 6th (BUF) in PIMS with 42.

I do believe that some of the forwards (Rakell) have been snakebit and the goals will find a way in with more regularity very soon. I also believe you have a team playing a brand new system under a new coach and things will click better and they get more comfortable.

They better find that level of comfort soon because the lack of goal production will catch up to them. At least, for now, they are banking some very important points.

If they get the scoring going to complement the defense and goaltending, and this will be a difficult team for any team to play against.

What do you think of the Ducks so far? Lucky or do they have what it takes to be a playoff contender this season?

Thanks for reading,
Steve
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