Anaheim Ducks Are Much Better Than They Were Quacked up to Be – Opinion

Here at the sports desk, located somewhere below decks of the Good Pirate Ship RedState, we’ve been following the NHL season with avid interest. It’s hard to believe that we don’t see sharks and Krakens rubbing each other on the nose every single time we go out through the porthole.

To date however, there have been many surprises. None more important than the surprisingly powerful Anaheim Ducks. Nearly exclusively deemed a rebuilding project at season’s beginning, the suddenly fearsome fowl have won eight straight games, including last night’s three to two overtime triumph over the Washington Capitals.

Anaheim’s strong season and winning streak is being led by a trio of players. Two, as expected. John Gibson, the goaltender, is doing as expected (.925% save rate and 2.33 goals against average), but it has been pleasant to see how forwards Troy Terry & Ryan Getzlaf make substantial contributions. Terry has now scored 11 goals and currently enjoys a 15-game point streak. Terry had never managed more than seven goals per season before this season. Getzlaf, who looked to be at the end of his lengthy career following last season, has apparently located a fountain of youth somewhere in the Duck Pond — er, Honda Center — and is averaging an assist a game. He scored an assist in the Ducks 1,000 last night, giving him 1,000 points.^Th regular-season win.

Numbers don’t lie, aside from those issued by the government, and Anaheim’s numbers are most impressive. A team that couldn’t buy a goal last year is third in the league in scoring this year. The league’s 21st-ranked defense in goals allowed could do with some improvement. But to date, the Ducks ability to put the puck in the other team’s net with far greater success than Donald has lobbing snowballs at Chip and Dale has carried them to first place in the Pacific Division.

This season, it is unclear if the Ducks are able to keep up this level of play. This being said, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim keep their impressive performances going.