Sunday, January 20, 2013
Good sign for the Ducks?
By Luke Lapinski
On paper at least, least season was a bit of an anomaly for the Anaheim Ducks. An offense that featured Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, Teemu Selanne and Bobby Ryan managed just 2.45 goals per game -- good for No. 23 in the NHL -- and the club missed the playoffs for just the second time in seven seasons. The year before, they had put up an average of 2.87 goals on their way to second place in the Pacific Division and the No. 4 seed in the West.
The drop-off in scoring wasn't the only reason for the team's slide, but it was certainly a key component. With weapons like that up front, it only makes sense that Anaheim would depend on winning some higher scoring games. The good news for fans in Orange County? The high powered offense was certainly back last night in Vancouver. Perry picked up a goal, Getzlaf added a pair of assists and Selanne erupted for two goals and two helpers in a blowout victory over Vancouver. What's more, Bruce Boudreau's squad got some secondary scoring from Daniel Winnik and 21-year old Kyle Palmieri. Granted, it's just one game. But, in a shortened season like this, getting off to a quick start is vital.
