Sergei Belski – USA TODAY Sports
After failing to clinch a playoff spot on their own accord by losing to the Colorado Avalanche on Apr. 10, the Anaheim Ducks finally secured a spot on Apr. 12 after the Detroit Red Wings lost to the Chicago Blackhawks. It’s the Ducks sixth berth in the past eight seasons.
Even after making the playoffs, the Ducks have looked anything but playoff ready since their loss to the Avalanche. They have four consecutive losses coming at the hands of Colorado, the Los Angeles Kings, Columbus Blue Jackets and the latest coming last night against the Calgary Flames and there’s no excuse for that especially with the stellar season they’ve been having up to this point. The Ducks opened the season winning 15 of the first 20 games. Anaheim currently holds a 27-11-6 record in the Western Conference standings, but is 4-4-2 in their last 10 games. That’s not the record of a playoff contender by any means.
The Ducks need to work their way out of the slump they’re in, but the biggest problem is figuring out what the problem is as it could be any number of things starting with the power play. If they don’t get it together in the last four games of the regular season before the playoffs begin, it won’t matter that they clinched a playoff spot since they probably won’t make it past the first round. Their first chance to step up will be tomorrow afternoon in the first of back-to-back games against the Edmonton Oilers.
Stephanie Lewark is an NHL and Pittsburgh Penguins Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter (@steelcitysports), check out her Facebook page, or add her to your Google+ circle.
