GDT: Game #5 of the season Ducks visit Bruins 7:00 PM ET Oct. 20, 2022

[bsu]

Heinen would have fit this team so well. Too bad we were so cheap and let him walk for $1m.

Never understood why everyone hated him so much, he wasn't anything special but was definitely useful.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I'm happy McT is finding ways to be on the scoresheet, he has been better than I expected so far and still room to grow no doubt.
But his skating sometimes looks really slow. I hope he is able to improve it at some point, but probably impossible during the NHL season.

He chugs for sure. He needs to move his feet more because he accelerates like a battleship. He'd be involved in a lot more plays if he was already moving.

McTavish still looks tentative out there and maybe thinking too much. Often, he's the first one on his line to change shifts. He also seems to defer too much with the puck and avoiding taking shots.

Once McTavish gets going, then he's going. In his WJC-18 performance, he kinda knew where the play would be going and he'd get a head start that way. That's how he got involved so often. The thing is that he was playing against men before going to the WJC-18. His thought process was faster when playing against his peers, as he said something of the like in interviews.

It's possible that he's still getting used to the NHL pace from being juniors last year. (He wasn't pushing it at the rookie camp at all.) It's also possible that he's still working through his pre-season injury. (I think Zegras is still working through his injury.) We get flashes from McTavish, but hopefully there'll be more.

The one time I did see McTavish giddy-up in last night's game was at the end of the game in our zone when he raced for a loose puck along the boards to chop it out of our zone, but not too hard to become an icing call. He needs more of that read & recognition to happen faster, which should keep his feet constantly moving.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

You want negativity? Read the Rangers GDT/PGT, and they are playoff contenders, lol. We have one dude who makes bsu look like Gandhi. I kid, @bsu

I honestly don't see things as bad as people are making them out to be. Don't get me wrong it's been a rough , but I've seen other teams with an even worse start. Only fully bad game I thought was the islanders. The Devils and Rangers games had some good moments, and some bad. Plus, the Ducks outscored the Rangers at ES, and got 4 past Igor. I just hope to see improvements like last night, Ducks could have won that game they were not outmatched or outclassed like their previous games.

We would have to play a nearly perfect game to win. We almost did. Gibby shot himself in the foot. I really don't know why he didn't ice the puck when he had it and there was so much traffic in front of him. Could have been a 1-0 win.

I liked the boring game this game b/c it's a huge upgrade from watching mediocre play and getting shellacked like children's wooden sleds just before snow season sales begin.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Henrique has to find a way to get on the scoresheet. i guess he's playing up to be the defensive conscience on that line? he's the worst forechecker i've seen in a long time.

It isn't about lack of trying for Rico to get onto the scoresheet. He's been near scoring goals often, but snakebitten, especially on that breakaway attempt through the five-hole clean only to kiss the post and out. I do hope he gets onto the scoresheet sooner b/c that'll help us out.

 

[McDonald19]

Heinen would have fit this team so well. Too bad we were so cheap and let him walk for $1m.

Well, Boston gave him a bad contract ($2.8 mil
cap). He’s a nice player at $1 mil. though.

Never understood why everyone hated him so much, he wasn't anything special but was definitely useful.

Just a bad contract from Boston and he is soft. A solid player otherwise.

 

[Frosted Tips]

Are we still doing the drinking game? Drink every time Zegras falls or gets knocked over. What's up with him? He seems quite useless out there. Dealing with some adversity could help him grow his game though and I have no doubt he'll work his way through this. Would like to separate him from Terry though.

 

[Hamilton Bulldogs]

I thought that game was more of the bruins playing poorly than the ducks playing well but I’ll take the point.

Drysdale has looked good this year. Much more confident. Ima pray for that confidence if Fowler misses anytime because he’s going to be in for an uphill battle playing with anyone’s else.

I wish the team wasn’t so soft. Bruins didn’t do anything dirty but you’d like to see some hard hits after guys like Lunderstrom and Fowler get rocked. Guys just seem to be gliding around and not playing with much passion or energy. If Contois and Max Jones aren’t going to hit, they don’t offer much else. I’ve been down on Silf but at least he’s trying. He’s at least making plays defensively, too many guys have just been a warm body on the ducks.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Heinen would have fit this team so well. Too bad we were so cheap and let him walk for $1m.

Never understood why everyone hated him so much, he wasn't anything special but was definitely useful.

I don't think the team was cheap to let Heinen walk, but rather the org had other options. Heinen's pretty invisible as a top-6 player and okay as 3rd line player. I've never heard of people hating on Heinen, but wished he could do more in a top-6 role. With Comtois' COVID season and Zegras getting 24 NHL games in the same season, that meant the 2021-22 season would push down Jones and Steel into the bottom-6 roles.

Projected 2021-22 bottom-6:

xxx - Lundy - Silf​

Des - Groulx- Grant​

C Groulx had a great 2020-21 season in San Diego and looked to be pushed into the NHL club, which they did start him in the NHL at the beginning of the season. With Jones and Steel needing ice time as well as what Milano could bring, Heinen's talent wasn't necessary.

The next year, both Steel and Milano's talents weren't necessary with McTavish going NHL-bound and the return of Jones. Regenda was signed to an ELC contract before FA. Also, Tracey and Perreault might be earning some call-ups this year.

 

[FiveHoleTickler]

It isn't about lack of trying for Rico to get onto the scoresheet. He's been near scoring goals often, but snakebitten, especially on that breakaway attempt through the five-hole clean only to kiss the post and out. I do hope he gets onto the scoresheet sooner b/c that'll help us out.

It's not sustainable and won't be before long that he starts producing, but man, I thought maybe he'd have at least a secondary assist at this point. Pretty bad stat line to start the season for him, especially given the amount of offensive zone starts he's been getting:

 

[Terry Yake]

eakins completely misused heinen

he's a good player to have in your lineup

 

[Hockey Duckie]

It's not sustainable and won't be before long that he starts producing, but man, I thought maybe he'd have at least a secondary assist at this point. Pretty bad stat line to start the season for him, especially given the amount of offensive zone starts he's been getting:

View attachment 597186

He is kinda babysitting Zegras and Zegras has been really terrible as of late. With Terry as his linemate now, even Terry's gone cold in the past two games. We did start the season with McTavish-Strome-Terry and Rico-Zegras-Vatrano, right?

Rico's got over 50% possession number (CF%)?! That's actually a good stat.

 

[FiveHoleTickler]

He is kinda babysitting Zegras and Zegras has been really terrible as of late. With Terry as his linemate now, even Terry's gone cold in the past two games. We did start the season with McTavish-Strome-Terry and Rico-Zegras-Vatrano, right?

Rico's got over 50% possession number (CF%)?! That's actually a good stat.

At face value, sure. But not really when you consider his oZS%.

 

[Mr Rogers]

It isn't about lack of trying for Rico to get onto the scoresheet. He's been near scoring goals often, but snakebitten, especially on that breakaway attempt through the five-hole clean only to kiss the post and out. I do hope he gets onto the scoresheet sooner b/c that'll help us out.

His effort level from a skating standpoint isn’t always there, so in a way some of that could be related to the lack of production.

 

[Ducks DVM]

Like a pack of racoons fighting over the last scrap of trash in the can

The shootout

 

[Kalv]

Drysdale has looked good this year. Much more confident. Ima pray for that confidence if Fowler misses anytime because he’s going to be in for an uphill battle playing with anyone’s else.

I wish the team wasn’t so soft. Bruins didn’t do anything dirty but you’d like to see some hard hits after guys like Lunderstrom and Fowler get rocked. Guys just seem to be gliding around and not playing with much passion or energy. If Contois and Max Jones aren’t going to hit, they don’t offer much else. I’ve been down on Silf but at least he’s trying. He’s at least making plays defensively, too many guys have just been a warm body on the ducks.

Yea, I saw Drysdale attacking the middle much more yesterday than I remember him from last season. That's really nice. I still would like him to know what to do with the puck in offensive zone, he still seems suddenly boneheaded there, lol. Lots of potential still in him

Had he played in juniors 2 years after draft, this would be his first pro season.


About hitting... yeah. Our top6 would be pushed around in WNHL, lol

 

[Hockey Duckie]

At face value, sure. But not really when you consider his oZS%.

Rico: OZ Starts = 62.2%; CF% = 51.5

9. McTavish: OZ Starts: = 69.2%; CF% = 41.7​

10. Vatrano: OZ Starts = 59.1%; CF% = 41.1​

7. Strome: OZ Starts = 58.3%; CF% = 42.0​

We don't give Rico enough credit. Sure, at times (many times) it feels as though he doesn't do much, but if you pay attention to him all game, then you will notice so many little things he does to help the team. It's scary how he does that. TBH, I was surprised he was over 50% CF rating.

Ducks Top-3 CF% (Possession Stat)... required 4 games.

1. Terry: OZ Starts = 73.0%; CF% = 55.8​

2. Rico: OZ Starts = 62.2%; CF% = 51.5​

3. Zegras: OZ Starts = 77.1%; CF% = 50.4​

That's our top-6. Holy crap we're babying our top-6, with respect to OZ starts! And we don't get enough scoring productions from them!

 

[snowave]

Finally got to watch a game. A little scary most are saying it was our best game so far this season. While not terrible, it was also not good or entertaining. (I think the SOG tally guy was very generous with us). The biggest thing I noticed was how soft we are. It was like flag football out there.

 

[Ducks DVM]

Rico: OZ Starts = 62.2%; CF% = 51.5

9. McTavish: OZ Starts: = 69.2%; CF% = 41.7​

10. Vatrano: OZ Starts = 59.1%; CF% = 41.1​

7. Strome: OZ Starts = 58.3%; CF% = 42.0​

We don't give Rico enough credit. Sure, at times (many times) it feels as though he doesn't do much, but if you pay attention to him all game, then you will notice so many little things he does to help the team. It's scary how he does that. TBH, I was surprised he was over 50% CF rating.

Ducks Top-3 CF% (Possession Stat)... required 4 games.

1. Terry: OZ Starts = 73.0%; CF% = 55.8​

2. Rico: OZ Starts = 62.2%; CF% = 51.5​

3. Zegras: OZ Starts = 77.1%; CF% = 50.4​

That's our top-6. Holy crap we're babying our top-6, with respect to OZ starts! And we don't get enough scoring productions from them!

FOW %

Zegras - 33.3%
Henrique- 31.3%

There’s your explanation as to both why they are being kept as far as possible from Gibson, and to why their Corsi is so low.

 

[Leonardo87]

FOW %

Zegras - 33.3%
Henrique- 31.3%

There’s your explanation as to both why they are being kept as far as possible from Gibson, and to why their Corsi is so low.

So glad Z worked on FO’s this summer.

 

[Mr Rogers]

Is it just me or does Zegs not look much stronger/faster this season compared to last?

 

[ADHB]

Is it just me or does Zegs not look much stronger/faster this season compared to last?

Hard to say on faster or not, since he hasn't had much space so far, but yeah... I remember some people really praising how much bigger his upper body looked (in photos, where the angles can be deceptive), and I honestly never saw that at all. He looked exactly the same to me.

 

[Bergey37]

Is it just me or does Zegs not look much stronger/faster this season compared to last?

It's not just you.

 

[mightyquack]

I thought that game was more of the bruins playing poorly than the ducks playing well but I’ll take the point.

Drysdale has looked good this year. Much more confident. Ima pray for that confidence if Fowler misses anytime because he’s going to be in for an uphill battle playing with anyone’s else.

I wish the team wasn’t so soft. Bruins didn’t do anything dirty but you’d like to see some hard hits after guys like Lunderstrom and Fowler get rocked. Guys just seem to be gliding around and not playing with much passion or energy. If Contois and Max Jones aren’t going to hit, they don’t offer much else. I’ve been down on Silf but at least he’s trying. He’s at least making plays defensively, too many guys have just been a warm body on the ducks.

Yeah I've liked how Drysdale has looked, I think he's taken a clear step up on the defensive side of things, good active stick and getting more physical contact. I'm not a fan of him being kept off the PP though, much rather see him get a crack there compared to "I'll just throw it around the boards again" Shattenkirk.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

FOW %

Zegras - 33.3%
Henrique- 31.3%

There’s your explanation as to both why they are being kept as far as possible from Gibson, and to why their Corsi is so low.

I actually thought both of their Corsi stats would be worse, like around 45-41!

It's a great move by Eakins to have the Rico-Z-Terry line start 70% in offensive zone knowing full well Z or Rico will lose 70% of the face-offs. Little things like this often gets missed in favor of rhetoric that Eakins doesn't know how to coach.

Speaking of FOW%, Strome is looking good early in the season with 52.9%. Strome had a 44.5% FOW pct last year with the Rangers.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

So glad Z worked on FO’s this summer.

Maybe his bigger biceps are messing with his fast twitch muscles?

I wonder if the team will tell Zegras and Rico to sometimes hold up their opponent's stick at FO and, by design, have a teammate snake it out? Can't do it all the time, but a couple of times in the game might help keep possession.