The Anaheim Ducks host the St. Louis Blues on Friday in the teams first game since beating the Nashville Predators 5-2, way back on Feb. 8th.
Since then, seven Ducks went to Sochi to represent their home countries and five came home with shiny new souvenirs. Now it's back to work chasing another shiny souvenir. Only this time the souvenir is about three feet tall and weighs close to 40 pounds and their is only one to share for anybody lucky enough to win it.
On Friday night the Ducks play host to the St. Louis Blues. The Blues trail Anaheim by just three points in the overall standings and would love to kick start their post-Olympic season with a win on the road against the only team they are looking up at.
The Ducks struggled prior to Sochi having lost four of six leading to the break. The Blues were just hitting their stride finishing 7-2-1 in the ten games prior to Sochi.
Anaheim won the first two meetings this season by a combined 8-4 score. Those two losses stand as the difference between these two clubs and their pursuit of the Presidents Trophy.
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Anaheim entered the Olympic break as the leagues top team with 41 wins and 87 points. After 18 days away, can they quickly turn their attention the task at hand...finishing the final 22 games as strong as they played the first 60.
Sure, why not?
The Ducks had a great first two/thirds of the season. They battled through a rash of injuries and a less than spectacular power play. They overcame multi-goal deficits on several occasions en route to some exciting and improbable wins. They have been wildly successful despite having already played over 75% on their road games already. And head coach Bruce Boudreau has done an excellent job of balancing ice time for both the skaters and netminders.
In theory the Ducks should have an easier schedule for the final 22 games. Here's why....
- Despite recent struggles at home, they have 12 more games at the Honda Center where they are still 22-5-2.
- They play the Panthers, Oilers and Flames and their combined record of 64-91-21 in six of those 22 games.
- The first fives games after the break are at home.
- None of the final 22 games are out of the Western Time Zone.
- Teemu Selanne looks rejuvenated after leading Finland to the Bronze Medal.
- Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf have a gold medal to add to each of their already impressive resumes.
- For the first time this season everybody (except Souray) is healthy.
I have to believe Boudreau will have his team ready for this final stretch. There is no more hiding. Everybody knows what these Ducks can do and everybody will be gunning for them.
I guess the official NHL Duck Hunt is on!
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Dan Girardi?
One rumor floating around is the Ducks SERIOUS interest in Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi.
According to several media reports, the Ducks covet a player like Girardi because of his ability to log big minutes against top tier talent. He's also physical and would greatly improve a somewhat soft Anaheim blue line. The Ducks have two first round picks in this years draft thanks to the Bobby Ryan deal with the Senators to dangle. With Girardi's impending UFA status hanging over them, will the Rangers bite?
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