HOME SWEET HOME
The Ducks wrapped up a brief homestand with a 4-1 win over the
hapless Chicago Blackhawks. Anaheim went 3-1 at The Pond, lifting
their overall home record to 6-3-2. The numbers are significant,
first because the team now embarks on a six-game roadie, but, more
importantly, because that "6" represents more than half the number
of wins Anaheim generated at home all of last season (11-23-6).
Overall, the Ducks ran their record to 9-7-4, good for 20 points,
third in the Pacific Division and a tie -- for the moment at least
-- with Detroit for third in the Western Conference.
Consider also that their 4-2 record over the past half-dozen games
has been earned despite the absence of Teemu Selanne, who has been
resting a generally achy right side (ankle and thigh). The team's
performance -- workmanlike, if not spectacular -- has taken the
urgency out of Selanne's return, although he seems likely to go in
game one of the road trip (vs. Detroit).
Marty McInnis has been skating on the top line in Selanne's stead,
and doing a damn fine job of it. Playing the starboard side along
with Steve Rucchin and Paul Kariya, the versatile McInnis has
racked up 5-9-14 totals in 13 games as a Duck. Though a right-hand
shot, McInnis has been a center or left wing his entire pro career.
He seems to have found some chemistry with Kariya, however, perhaps
giving Craig Harstburg the luxury of splitting up his dynamic duo.
And while that has never worked before -- Ron Wilson and Pierre
Page both gave it a shot -- Anaheim now seems to have unprecedented
depth up front.
At this point, the price paid for McInnis -- a fourth-round pick in
2000 -- seems ludicrously low.
NO ROAD WOES?
With the team playing a solid, grinding game, the upcoming roadie
doesn't seem as daunting as it might have in the past. Other than
Detroit, against whom the Ducks usually put together a spirited, if
losing, effort, the rest of the games seem winnable. Nashville,
Carolina and Chicago, again, are certainly within reach, and
Pittsburgh will likely be going without starter Tom Barrasso. Then,
after a few days rest at home, the squad will commute up to play
struggling San Jose.
A .500 trip seems more than realistic; and if the team can come home
with four wins or better, Ducks fans may be thinking Christmas
arrived early.
CENTER LINES
Aside from the Big Unit, Hartsburg had been using Matt Cullen
between Antti Aalto and Johan Davidsson -- the so-called "Center
Line," because they're all natural centers. But with Travis Green's
injury and the return of Josef Marha, the coach did some juggling
and came up with a "Center-squared" line, replacing Cullen with
Marha -- another natural center. The speedy Cullen then took the
helm of a grinding line featuring Jim McKenzie on the left and
defenseman-turned-winger Pascal Trepanier on the right. That left
Ted Drury centering fourth-line wingers Jeff Nielsen (r) and Stu
Grimson.
Though called up due to the injuries to Selanne and Green -- who
finally potted his first goal of the season before twisting his
knee against Edmonton -- Frank Banham isn't liklely to stay around.
He might not even dress. With McInnis producing and Marha back in
good health, Hartsburg won't be looking for Banham's offense.
WOW -- SPECIAL TEAMS
Anaheim's special teams have been -- gadzooks! -- on fire of late.
Well, for Anaheim, anyway. With the power play clicking at near 20%
and the kill going at near 90%, the Ducks no longer need fear the
men in stripes. That will be a key element not only as the team
heads out on the road, but also as opponents toughen up --
realizing that a game versus the Ducks might not be the easy skate
they had expected when the season got underway.
