GDT: #18 ⋅ ANA @ CHI ⋅ 5:30 PM PST

[JAHV]

A couple of fun notes:

• The Ducks have a better points percentage than half of the Central Division
• The Ducks would be in a playoff spot (by points percentage) if they were in the Eastern Conference

I know this is just a hot streak fluke, but it's kind of fun to be happy watching hockey for a whole week!

 

[ZegrasOwnsYou]

Late to the thread but I hope this game is the kickstart for some kind of production from Z.

 

[Hamilton Bulldogs]

What a great week of hockey for the ducks.

Love to see it

 

[Hamilton Bulldogs]

I

I can understand the frustration with how McTavish has played this year, but he’s 21 years old on an ELC. He’s proven he can be better. Just give it some time. He’ll figure it out. It’s a little early to write the kid off.

You could also classify a handful of players that were in the lineup tonight as deadweight over the past few years. The key is getting everyone going at the same time.

 

[Lord Flashheart]

We’ve solidified our place as the best of the bad teams.

Now we're hoping to become the worst of the mediocre teams. Hooray!

 

[WhatTheDuck]

20 shots against makes me happy.

Only seven (I believe) in the latter half of the game.

 

[Leonardo87]

Only seven (I believe) in the latter half of the game.

Considering they played the night before and had their best period in the 3rd is very promising.

 

[Leonardo87]

Bedard seems to own the Ducks. 5 points out of his 15 total this season were against the Ducks. At least they got the last laugh with Leo scoring the GW goal.

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

Now we're hoping to become the worst of the mediocre teams. Hooray!

Are we the world’s biggest slider or the world’s smallest burger?

Bedard seems to own the Ducks. 5 points out of his 15 total this season were against the Ducks. At least they got the last laugh with Leo scoring the GW goal.

His passing and vision are crazy. But he’s so tiny and slow.

 

[Rooch]

I hate to admit it because I really dislike our coach and GM, but the chemistry on this team is beginning to emerge. Three straight wins doesn't undo the flaming turd of the first dozen games or so but its hard to deny what we've seen on this trip. They're gelling, finally. I feel this weird emotion in my chest and it think it's...hope?

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

I hate to admit it because I really dislike our coach and GM, but the chemistry on this team is beginning to emerge. Three straight wins doesn't undo the flaming turd of the first dozen games or so but its hard to deny what we've seen on this trip. They're gelling, finally. I feel this weird emotion in my chest and it think it's...hope?

We’re still only firing on a couple cylinders in terms of the kids playing effectively, which is supposed to be the point. No progress so far from Minty/Mac/Carlsson, a few signs of life from LaCombe, Cutter, and Z, major steps by Zell and Dostal.

 

[JAHV]

We’re still only firing on a couple cylinders in terms of the kids playing effectively, which is supposed to be the point. No progress so far from Minty/Mac/Carlsson, a few signs of life from LaCombe, Cutter, and Z, major steps by Zell and Dostal.

I would quibble on Mintyukov. He's probably been the Ducks' best defenseman, all things considered. He's the only one averaging more than 20 minutes per night, he's playing in all situations, and he's got the best even strength expected GF% among all Ducks defensemen*. His defensive numbers aren't quite as good as last season, but he's also being trusted with more defensive zone starts than last year (and more than any other d-man on the team this season, even Gudas). Despite that, he's been generating more offense than last season and more offense than any Ducks' defenseman* this season.

Maybe he hasn't taken that really noticeable leap forward, but I think he's quietly becoming the solid two-way, all situations top pairing d-man that the team needs.

*Except for the five games from Vaakanainen, may he rest in peace.

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

I would quibble on Mintyukov. He's probably been the Ducks' best defenseman, all things considered.

One hell of a quibble. Couldn’t disagree more.

 

[JAHV]

One hell of a quibble. Couldn’t disagree more.

So are the stats wrong? All of them point to improvement this year in his overall play. The eye test agrees for me as well. He hasn't been as flashy this season, but he's been way more consistently solid.

 

[ZegrassyKnoll]

To me, Minty is playing just as well as last year except now he is playing a couple more minutes a game and against other teams’ top lines - so even if he doesn’t look flashier or more dominant, I still think he has actually taken a decent step forward. And he’s getting PK time.