• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Anaheim Ducks

Why Are the Ducks So Good?

By Marc Soumako March 7th, 2016

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Ducks Set a Franchise Record with Eleven Straight Wins

Since the Christmas break, there has been no team hotter than the Anaheim Ducks in the NHL. Hot isn’t even the word, they have been scorching through the league over the past 31 games with 25 wins and only four regulation losses. Out of a possible 62 points, they collected a whopping 52.

So what gives? How did all this happen after such a horrible start to the season?

Filling the Net

Ryan Getzlaf (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Ryan Getzlaf (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

In early January, the Ducks were dead-last in offence averaging 1.9 goals per game, but they were able to keep their heads above water because of their stout defence and solid goaltending tandem of John Gibson and Frederik Andersen. They now find themselves 21st by raising their season average to 2.5 per game. But what happened?

The team’s centres finally jumped their games up a notch, while noticing their defence as well as Corey Perry and Rickard Rakell’s contributions were carrying the team. It has also helped that coach Bruce Boudreau separated longtime line-mates Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf in January. The team now has a lot more scoring depth throughout their lineup, instead of having it concentrated on two lines.

Great Coaching

Rather than make up line trios, Boudreau created his offensive lines with skilled duos accompanied by above average offensive role players to complete each line. The top line is comprised of Getzlaf with David Perron and Mike Santorelli/Nick Ritchie. On this line, Santorelli or Ritchie dig pucks out of corners and do some the dirty work and allow the skilled players like Getzlaf and Perron to do what they do best: be creative and dangerous. The same is true of the second line with newby Jamie McGinn retrieving pucks and standing in front of net while Rakell and Perry play the cycle game and skate circles around the opposition. The duo of Ryan Kesler and Jakob Silfverberg on the third line is completed with speedy Andrew Cogliano. His relentless forecheck and puck pursuit creates turnovers and gives his linemates more time in the offensive zone. 

Saturday night’s win against the Kings was Boudreau’s 400th in his career.

Congrats, Bruce! Boudreau is the fastest coach to 400 wins in @NHL history! Stat courtesy @EliasSports. pic.twitter.com/BCY52S0owa

— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) March 6, 2016

Key Additions in 2016

Buffalo Sabres Jamie McGinn

Jamie McGinn (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

In each of the first three weeks in January, GM Bob Murray made a trade. Some were obviously more important than others such as picking up Ryan Garbutt and Perron in separate trades for Jiri Sekac and Carl Hagelin. Murray followed that up on Trade Deadline Day by acquiring McGinn and Brandon Pirri and cutting ties with Patrick Maroon. Although we haven’t seen Pirri suit up for the Ducks yet, the McGinn move has already paid dividends, as he’s picked up two goals, an assist and 10 penalty minutes in three games played so far with the Ducks. Anaheim has been able to add two players to the top two lines and you could not have hoped for a better start from either Perron and McGinn.

Personal Favorites to Win the Cup

The Ducks are looking like the most dangerous and versatile team in the league right now. They have three lines that can score and play any style from free-wheeling to down right nasty as we saw against the Kings on Saturday. Even Rakell recorded his first hockey fight.

Ricky Balboa!!👏🏻Congrats on the first NHL fight! I guess there is a little Viking in him. https://t.co/20enBdEI7M via YouTube

— Hampus Lindholm (@HampeLindholm) March 6, 2016

 The fourth line has a lot of speed and grit. The defence is extremely mobile with the likes of Sami Vatanen, Cam Fowler and Hampus Lindholm. They also have some bruisers like Josh Manson and Kevin Bieksa. If that wasn’t enough, they have the best goaltending tandem in the league with Gibson and Andersen, as they have the Ducks sitting at number one in goals against with 2.3 per game and the third best penalty killing efficiency at 86.2 per cent.

They say your best penalty killer has to be your goaltender. Well, this is what great goaltending does. The Ducks are flying high and I didn’t even mention that they possess the second best power play in the league too. League beware. Next on the schedule, the Capitals come to The Pond in what could very well be a Stanly Cup final preview.

Like Ovechkin, Bobby Ryan and Ryan Getzlaf are top-tier NHL players (clydeorama/Flickr)

Like Ovechkin, Bobby Ryan and Ryan Getzlaf are top-tier NHL players (clydeorama/Flickr)

  • Tags
  • Bruce Boudreau
  • Jamie McGinn
  • Rickard Rakell
  • Ryan Getzlaf
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 20th 2:20 PM
NHL Entry Draft

2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini’s Top 75 Rankings

Jan 20th 1:50 PM
Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers’ Goaltending & Defense Among Standouts Through Week 1

Jan 20th 1:37 PM
Archives

Jets’ 5 Greatest U.S.-born Players

Jan 20th 1:15 PM
Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers Bounce Back Against Sabres but Lineup Questions Remain

Jan 20th 1:05 PM
Buffalo Sabres

Sabres Broadcaster Rob Ray Makes Light of Potential Brain Injury

Jan 20th 12:55 PM
Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche Power Play Sets Tone Again in 3-2 Victory Over Kings

Jan 20th 12:45 PM
Columbus Blue Jackets

NHL Rumors: Oilers, Maple Leafs, Canadiens, Stars, Panthers, More

Jan 20th 12:37 PM
Archives

3 Best Trades in Senators History

Jan 20th 12:15 PM
Washington Capitals

Capitals Plagued by Inconsistency & Lack of Effort on Opening Road Trip

Jan 20th 12:05 PM
Winnipeg Jets

3 Takeaways from Jets’ Thrilling Overtime Victory Over the Senators

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information