Open Gameday Recap Thread Red Wings @ Ducks

DANIEL:

The Ducks got a desperately needed two points when they beat the rival Detroit Red Wings at the Ponda Center tonight. First and foremost, a major shout out to rookie Matt Beleskey who scored his first NHL goal.  Beleskey has worked hard to fit into the Ducks system and be a reliable player. Corey Perry ended a 10 game goalless streak the same night Ryan Getzlaf returned from an injury that kept him out for the past 4 games. Chipchura had an empty netter that sealed the victory proving that while Murray certainly wastes resources, he doesn't always acquire useless players for them.

The most important goal of the night was scored by Saku Koivu.  He opened the scoring with a shorthanded marker fairly early in the first period.  Koivu has been the Ducks' best player for the past month or so. His ability to be productive in almost any situation, and the emergence of the Ryan-Koivu-Sexton line are the only reasons the Ducks aren't completely out of the playoff picture.

Jonas Hiller had a quality performance stopping 38 shots.  Hiller is starting to pull ahead of Giguere for the job of starting goalie.  The Ducks needed these two point badly, but it's all for nothing if they can't start stringing together victories. Unless they can rattle off 5-6 in a row, the Ducks will be out of the playoff picture before the month is over.