The 2023–24 Anaheim Ducks season has officially reached the halfway point. Currently on a six-game losing streak and outscored 30-11 in those games, they are entering a crucial stretch of their season that will be highlighted by upcoming games against two Western Conference contenders: the Colorado Avalanche (Dec. 2) and the Vancouver Canucks (Nov. 28).
In between these challenging games is a game they can win against the Washington Capitals on November 30, but the way things are going, it’s possible the Ducks end this stretch of the schedule with more losses than wins. That would be disastrous for the team, whose current six-game winning streak looks more like a mirage than a sign of things turning around, and for head coach Greg Cronin, who has admitted to the team that they are going through some tough times.
Let’s assess the team’s current situation, examine some strategies for maintaining our competitiveness this week, and project the outcomes of the upcoming games.
There Are No Consistent Sources of Offense for the Ducks
Simply put, the inconsistent offensive output from players other than Mason McTavish and Frank Vatrano is holding the Ducks back. Despite having four points in his last 11 games, Ryan Strome had a scorching start to the season. Troy Terry, Adam Henrique, and Alex Killorn make up the team’s current top line, which is at best mediocre. The combination was vastly inferior in the crushing defeat on November 26 against the Edmonton Oilers.
During the losing run, they are scoring fewer than two goals per game on average. In contrast, they scored nearly five goals per game on average when they were victorious in October. Their goal differential has decreased to minus-15, and there aren’t many indications that any players who are struggling are about to turn things around. Maybe players who are coming off injured reserve will provide reinforcements?
More Questions Than Answers Regarding Zegras and Drysdale’s Injuries
In relation to that, what is happening with Jamie Drysdale and Trevor Zegras? Mom appears to be receiving updates on their statuses from management, which is concerning because their absences put the team in a real state of uncertainty. Zegras’ dynamic talent is greatly missed, even though he was having difficulties this season. Conversely, Drysdale is a much-needed addition to the blue line that will help ensure that younger players like Pavel Mintyukov and Jackson LaCombe aren’t put in positions they aren’t prepared for.
The unanswered questions are: where are they and what stage of recovery are each of them in? Given that Drysdale has missed almost the whole season thus far, the silence regarding the injuries and recovery is beginning to seem strange. In the few games he did play, he looked fantastic, but having missed over 100 games before turning 22, concerns about his durability will begin to surface, if they haven’t already.
Defense Lineup Requires Adjustment
In the past two weeks, the Ducks have given up eight goals on two separate occasions. Although I don’t think anyone anticipated they would be able to completely prevent Connor McDavid and the Oilers from scoring, their recent loss of eight was appalling. With the Ducks, Edmonton, who had a terrible start to the season, cleaned house in a manner they hadn’t done to anyone else yet.
The captain of this defense and the best player on the blue line, Cam Fowler, was down five. LaCombe was minus-four and is currently minus-16 for the season. He is beginning to display his youth and inexperience at the professional level. Nothing should force Cronin to play the same six defensemen every night, even though Radko Gudas has occasionally contributed offensively and Mintyukov has looked fantastic in spurts.
There’s no harm in getting Tristan Luneau in the lineup more frequently (until he gets to nine games and management decides how to handle him), considering calling up one of their many defensive prospects waiting in the wings, or tinkering with combinations. Trotting out the same six blue liners after an 8-2 thrashing would really be a surprise.
How Are the Ducks Going to Stay Up with the Avalanche and Canucks?
Will they be the better question, rather than how? The conventional wisdom and recency bias imply that the Ducks have little chance of winning any of these games and that the answer to this question is no. But don’t we already know the secrets to their success?
The best players can stay in games when they set the offensive tone with a relentless forecheck and emphasis on shot volume. After all, they have used this formula to defeat some really strong teams. They attack, stay on their feet, and get the puck close to the net frequently. Depth players will occasionally add to this attack, which makes it even more difficult for opposing teams
The goal of defense is to contain the star power of these two lineups on the outside. Players like Mikko Rantanen, Elias Petersson, Nathan McKinnon, Cale Makar, and JT Miller will continue to get the puck despite the Ducks’ best efforts. But can they restrict the caliber of their opportunities? When the situation calls for it, can goalies John Gibson and Lukas Dostal hold their ground? We will learn a lot about this team’s resolve this week.
Prediction: Ducks Manage to Win One of These Matches
In professional sports, it’s common knowledge that things should be taken “one day at a time” and that planning ahead is impossible. And with good reason. The only game the Ducks should be concerned about is the one in front of them. The time has come for them to take pride in their performance, buckle down, and return to the winning ways that sparked excitement about this team’s season not too long ago as they approach a particularly challenging stretch of their schedule.
I believe they can succeed. They are capable of fighting back, and if they can perform well enough in the offensive, defensive, and goaltending departments, they ought to be able to take one of these games. The first true test of Cronin’s tenure will be whether or not these guys can weather this storm, and I believe he can motivate them to win this week. Either positive or terrible outcomes will arise. Watch how it plays out.