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.
Showing posts with label Bruce Boudreau. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bruce Boudreau. Show all posts
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Monday, May 13, 2013
Do or Do Not, There is no Try...
There is nothing more exciting come playoff time than a game 7 and the first round of the NHL Playoffs will see three with the last two coming tonight in Boston and Washington.
In Anaheim last night the Ducks lost 3-2 at home to the Detroit Red Wings. The Ducks lead 3-2 in the series but failed to close the deal. I can relate...This will undoubtedly continue the talks about coach Bruce Boudreau continuing to come up short in the playoffs after great regular seasons. Now personally speaking I always thought he was over rated as a coach and has always had top end talent that he has failed to get to the next level. He is whinny in interviews and doesn't seem to want to shoulder the responsibility of these defeats. In fairness he's lost to Pittsburgh who won the Cup, Montreal when Halak stole the series and now a team in Detroit with veteran leaders. But His Anaheim team is full of veteran guys, Selanne, Perry, Getzlaf, Beauchemin, Koivu who have lots of experience but failed to produce in the clutch. What happens next is anyone's guess but undoubtedly he will continue to be questioned until he make a serious run in the post season.
In Toronto the Maple Leafs, who looked liked they were going to get rolled in this series after game one, have taken the last two, in large part thanks to James Reimer, and forced a game 7 in Boston this evening. The young Leafs have given the Bruins everything they can handle and played a physical style, not afraid to work for their goals. That said goaltending has been the difference. Not that Tuuka Rask has been bad by any means, but he hasn't stolen games like Reimer. Boston needs its top line of Bergeron, Marchand and Seguin to step up if it wants to avoid the upset at home tonight as they haven't produced much of anything all series. Phil Kessel has finally shaken the monkey off his back against his former team and captain Dion Phaneuf leads his young team into unfamiliar waters tonight after atoning for his game 4 gaff with a big goal last night. Whatever happens tonight this series has gone longer than most, myself included, ever imagined.
The Washington Capitals and New York Rangers must be getting sick of seeing each other in the playoffs by now have seen each other five times in less than a decade. They play a decisive game 7 tonight in the US capital in a series where the home team has won every game. Goaltending again, will be a factor as this has been a very tight checking low scoring series for the most part. 'King' Henrik Lundqvist certainly has the experience but Braydon Holtby has looked solid in the Washington thus far. The stars in this series have yet to make a huge impact so whoever steps up tonight will be a difference maker.
In Anaheim last night the Ducks lost 3-2 at home to the Detroit Red Wings. The Ducks lead 3-2 in the series but failed to close the deal. I can relate...This will undoubtedly continue the talks about coach Bruce Boudreau continuing to come up short in the playoffs after great regular seasons. Now personally speaking I always thought he was over rated as a coach and has always had top end talent that he has failed to get to the next level. He is whinny in interviews and doesn't seem to want to shoulder the responsibility of these defeats. In fairness he's lost to Pittsburgh who won the Cup, Montreal when Halak stole the series and now a team in Detroit with veteran leaders. But His Anaheim team is full of veteran guys, Selanne, Perry, Getzlaf, Beauchemin, Koivu who have lots of experience but failed to produce in the clutch. What happens next is anyone's guess but undoubtedly he will continue to be questioned until he make a serious run in the post season.
In Toronto the Maple Leafs, who looked liked they were going to get rolled in this series after game one, have taken the last two, in large part thanks to James Reimer, and forced a game 7 in Boston this evening. The young Leafs have given the Bruins everything they can handle and played a physical style, not afraid to work for their goals. That said goaltending has been the difference. Not that Tuuka Rask has been bad by any means, but he hasn't stolen games like Reimer. Boston needs its top line of Bergeron, Marchand and Seguin to step up if it wants to avoid the upset at home tonight as they haven't produced much of anything all series. Phil Kessel has finally shaken the monkey off his back against his former team and captain Dion Phaneuf leads his young team into unfamiliar waters tonight after atoning for his game 4 gaff with a big goal last night. Whatever happens tonight this series has gone longer than most, myself included, ever imagined.
The Washington Capitals and New York Rangers must be getting sick of seeing each other in the playoffs by now have seen each other five times in less than a decade. They play a decisive game 7 tonight in the US capital in a series where the home team has won every game. Goaltending again, will be a factor as this has been a very tight checking low scoring series for the most part. 'King' Henrik Lundqvist certainly has the experience but Braydon Holtby has looked solid in the Washington thus far. The stars in this series have yet to make a huge impact so whoever steps up tonight will be a difference maker.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Coaches Corner
The NHL season is now just past the half way point and with several teams exceeding expectations we'll take a look at some of the men behind the bench who are responsible.
Paul MacLean. Ottawa Senators: The Sens surprised many last year by making the playoffs and then nearly knocking off the top seeded New York Rangers in the first round. The Sens have a young, hard working team and have responded well to their coach. they started the year off well and things looked great moving forward until the injuries began to pile up. all Stars Jason Spezza, and Erik Karlsson both out for most of the year with injuries, Milan Michalek continues to miss time with a bad knee, Jard Cowan has been out all year and Craig Anderson who still leads the league in save percentage and goals against average have all missed significant time. No one would be surprised if the team dropped off severely and they may yet stumble, but to this point they are sitting in a playoff spot because of the hard work and structured nature of their game. they are not flashy or offensively gifted but they play hard and play together and this has put MacLean on the list of candidates for the Jack Adams award.
Michel Therrien, Montreal Canadiens: Therrien returned to Montreal at a time where they was much change in the organization. New GM Marc Bergevian had to try to improve their fortunes quickly and so far the results have been great. The Habs were coming off a disappointing season finishing dead last in the east a year ago. They had injury problems and didn't seem to be playing up to their potential. A healthy Brian Gionta and Andre Markov combined with impressive rookies Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher have helped them improve greatly. Therrien has them playing hard and with Carey Price in goal they have a lot of people in Montreal talking about a playoff run.
Bruce Boudreau, Anaheim Ducks: The Ducks had won a cup in 2007 under Randy Carlyle but whether his message wore thin or the players just lost focus, the Ducks underperformed in a big way last year. Boudreau was brought in and since that time they have been one of the best teams in the league. He has a lot of high end talent to work with, as he did in Washington, and has they Ducks looking like a contender in the west. Ryan Getzlaf, armed with a hefty new contract, and Corey Perry are having bounce back years and they continue to get production from veterans Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne.
Randy Carlyle, Toronto Maple Leafs: Many, myself included, thought the Leafs would once again hover around a playoff spot but ultimately fall short. While that still may happen don't tell Randy Carlyle. The Leafs are becoming a much harder team to play against and have exceeded the expectations most had for them heading into this season. They have had injuries to players like Matt Fratin, Joffrey Lupul and James Reimer but other like Nazim Kadri and James Van Riemsdyk have stepped up and Phil Kessel is finally starting to get a few goals. The Leafs may not be cup contenders but they have improved their style and structure of play greatly under Carlyle.
Joel Quenville, Chicago Blackhawks: Chicago is a talented team who play hard, play well together and they are a reflection of their coaches work ethic. Quneville has guided this team to a record point streak to start the year and while he has a lot of high end talent they are also some of the hardest working two way players in the game. Hossa, Sharp and Toews all play a 200 foot game and Patrick Kane has been lighting it up offensively. The Hawks will be a contender and if Cory Crawford and Ray Emery can shoulder the load Quneville may hoist his second cup with this group.
Paul MacLean. Ottawa Senators: The Sens surprised many last year by making the playoffs and then nearly knocking off the top seeded New York Rangers in the first round. The Sens have a young, hard working team and have responded well to their coach. they started the year off well and things looked great moving forward until the injuries began to pile up. all Stars Jason Spezza, and Erik Karlsson both out for most of the year with injuries, Milan Michalek continues to miss time with a bad knee, Jard Cowan has been out all year and Craig Anderson who still leads the league in save percentage and goals against average have all missed significant time. No one would be surprised if the team dropped off severely and they may yet stumble, but to this point they are sitting in a playoff spot because of the hard work and structured nature of their game. they are not flashy or offensively gifted but they play hard and play together and this has put MacLean on the list of candidates for the Jack Adams award.
Michel Therrien, Montreal Canadiens: Therrien returned to Montreal at a time where they was much change in the organization. New GM Marc Bergevian had to try to improve their fortunes quickly and so far the results have been great. The Habs were coming off a disappointing season finishing dead last in the east a year ago. They had injury problems and didn't seem to be playing up to their potential. A healthy Brian Gionta and Andre Markov combined with impressive rookies Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher have helped them improve greatly. Therrien has them playing hard and with Carey Price in goal they have a lot of people in Montreal talking about a playoff run.
Bruce Boudreau, Anaheim Ducks: The Ducks had won a cup in 2007 under Randy Carlyle but whether his message wore thin or the players just lost focus, the Ducks underperformed in a big way last year. Boudreau was brought in and since that time they have been one of the best teams in the league. He has a lot of high end talent to work with, as he did in Washington, and has they Ducks looking like a contender in the west. Ryan Getzlaf, armed with a hefty new contract, and Corey Perry are having bounce back years and they continue to get production from veterans Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne.
Randy Carlyle, Toronto Maple Leafs: Many, myself included, thought the Leafs would once again hover around a playoff spot but ultimately fall short. While that still may happen don't tell Randy Carlyle. The Leafs are becoming a much harder team to play against and have exceeded the expectations most had for them heading into this season. They have had injuries to players like Matt Fratin, Joffrey Lupul and James Reimer but other like Nazim Kadri and James Van Riemsdyk have stepped up and Phil Kessel is finally starting to get a few goals. The Leafs may not be cup contenders but they have improved their style and structure of play greatly under Carlyle.
Joel Quenville, Chicago Blackhawks: Chicago is a talented team who play hard, play well together and they are a reflection of their coaches work ethic. Quneville has guided this team to a record point streak to start the year and while he has a lot of high end talent they are also some of the hardest working two way players in the game. Hossa, Sharp and Toews all play a 200 foot game and Patrick Kane has been lighting it up offensively. The Hawks will be a contender and if Cory Crawford and Ray Emery can shoulder the load Quneville may hoist his second cup with this group.
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