Oh! We have met before

So my favorite thing about the game...(minus the win and 2 points which I'm VERY excited about...VERY...)

The Power Play and Penalty kill was rocking and the return of Ryan Getzlaf.

After struggling so much on both ends of the ice, the PP and the PK really turned it on last night. I know there were alot of people who were worried when we lost the defensive shut down powers of Samuel Pahlsson and Travis Moen...but the aggressive speed and checking abilities that both Todd Marchant and Mike Brown have been bringing to the PK these past few games is quite noticeable. I'll be honest, I was ready to see Marchant hit the road, but lately he's really turned it on. I see both he and Brown out there with speed and intensity and it's exciting to watch. In addition it must be noted that George Parros getting a goal last night was huge. The Ducks need contributions from all lines, and seeing those guys step it up the way they have been lately is so important. The Ducks definitely brought energy to the game, which is really what those guys are all about. The Ducks power play was on a 1-for-28 stretch and have recently gone 7-for-12 over the past three games. Let's hope that one continues.

Ryan Getzlaf. Who wasn't happy to see that guy show up last night? The 3rd goal of the evening was a mini indication of the way that top line clicks with each other. There were times during the first period where I could see them reading each other perfectly. It really was beautiful to watch for a change. For the most part I hate to add videos to these blogs unless I really feel they are necessary and I think this goal is necessary to watch again (1:20).



First of all, let it be noted that Corey Perry just barely stays onside here. He's infamous for going offsides, and for the most part, unless he's taking the puck across the blue line himself, watch it...cause there's going to be a whistle. Anyway, to the point. The play, the spacing, it's all perfect. A beautiful cross ice pass from Bobby Effin Ryan to Getzlaf, and some slick puck handling to Perry, who I'm assuming had that sit down I suggested with Petteri Nokelainen about charging the net a bit more. When things like this happen, when passes like these are connected, when plays like these are executed, the team is going to win. No kidding, right?

With that being said, one of the major changes I noticed tonight was some presence at the net. That's been lacking so much lately, but with that man in front, 3 of the Ducks goals were tip in/redirect style goals. They need those opportunities, they need a man at the net. It's huge for their success and they haven't been doing it enough lately.

Jonas Hiller was solid again last night. So great to see that right now. It seems to me that if the Ducks are going to have a chance at the playoffs, Hiller is going to have to be in net for a majority of the remaining games. Plain and simple.

So is it just that the Ducks beat a crappy team? Or is it that the Ducks have found some fire in their game?

Is it going to carry over? If the Ducks want a chance at the post season...it sure as hell better.

This might just be the best showing the Ducks have had at home since game 5 against San Jose, where they shut them out 4-0, game 11 against Detroit and game 12 against Vancouver where they fought to send both of those games into overtime, and ultimately Vancouver into the crazy 13 round shootout. What's the good news in that? The Ducks looked so much better during that time of the season. Minus the terrible start, the Ducks then went 8-3-2 in the month of November and received points in 9 straight games spanning from October 21 - November 5. The Ducks really need an October/November right now and this game may have just been the spark they were looking for.

Warning to the friends; get out the oxygen tank. This is the beginning of the playoffs people. Seemingly, every game is must win- or go home. I foresee potential hyperventilation factors coming into play and soon I expect them to ask me if I'm going to pass out.

I love it!

GO DUCKS!!!