The NHL season is at the quarter pole and while there are a number of intriguing story lines, none is perhaps as bewildering as what has happened to the Anaheim Ducks. This is a team that was one win away from a Stanley Cup finals appearance last spring and now find themselves mired in the lower third of the Western Conference.
Their offence, a talented group capable of putting up big numbers, has managed a measly 45 goals in 23 games, the second lowest total in the entire league behind only Philadelphia. Their goaltending hasn't been a bright spot but hasn't been bad enough that it should be blamed for their ills, as last I looked you need to score as well.
They have all star talent in Ryan Getzlaf anf Ryan Kessler who have only one more goal than I do in the NHL this season. Corey Perry has struggled and they can't seem to muster much of anything on the power play. When things like this start happening inevitably the focus is turned, fairly or unfairly, on the coach, though in this case they have a point.
Bruce Boudreau may be well liked by many in the hockey community, personally I can't stand him as he whines and moans about every little thing that doesn't go his way and passes the buck like a bad check. He has had a number of incredibly talented teams since he stepped into NHL and can't get them to reach their potential. He is arguably the most overrated coach in the league.
He had a plethora of all stars in Washington and never got the out of the second round, and while Anaheim had a successful season last year, it had much more to do with the talent on the ice then the man calling the shots. With young stars like Fowler and Lindholm on the point and a number of proven veterans up front this team should be far ahead of where they are in the Western standings and many still believe they can make a run. One thing working in their favour is that the Pacific Division isn't particularly strong this year and they are only four point back of a thus far mediocre Vancouver team for third.
However, the next ten days may be very telling as the Duck face the defending Champion Blackhawks, Vancouver, Tampa Bay (who dismantled them 5-0 the other week), San Jose and Pittsburgh all of whom are in playoff spots at the moment. If the Ducks slip back further GM Bob Murray may have no choice but to pull the trigger on a coaching change before the season is completely lost.
