Ducks vs Wild MORNING THOUGHTS: Why is 3v3 OT So Difficult for Anaheim?

The Anaheim Ducks dropped another decision after the regulation sixty minutes had elapsed, and it cost them yet another extra point opportunity. For a team that is currently sitting in the thick of the pack fighting to stay in a potential playoff position, dropping opportunities for second points consistently may eventually come back to bite the Ducks.

The Minnesota Wild ended the game against Anaheim at the 3:43 mark of the 3-on-3 session, as two of the three Ducks on the ice decided to watch as Matt Dumba skated in on John Gibson and made a quick move in front to slide the puck around Gibson for the win.

Anaheim has been, by far, the worst team in the NHL at overtime since the 3-on-3 system was implemented, and it now seems to be costing the Ducks much more dearly, as they have found themselves in OT much more frequently in recent weeks. With a team fighting to stay afloat while their roster works to get healthy, finding a way to get the second point every now and again would be crucial to potential long-term success for Anaheim.

So what will it take for the Ducks to figure out their overtime woes and get the ship sailing in the right direction? Better coaching? More 3-on-3 practice? Lack of leadership with Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler out of the lineup? Let me know what you think in the comments, because I think Mr. Carlyle and myself are both running low on ideas at this point.

Best & Worst

Best

1. Kevin Roy - This one is an obvious choice for a best of the game. Roy was able to deposit his fourth goal of the season, and he continues to impress in his rookie campaign. The Ducks could use depth scoring and Roy seems to be making a case for keeping a spot in the Ducks lineup when the big guns return.

2. Ryan Getzlaf - He’s skating! With a visor! Hockey! Sports! Health!

3. Penalty Kill - While the penalty kill only had two opportunities (this is a good and welcome change), they certainly looked strong on both kills. The Wild were limited to very few dangerous chances and most of their shots on goal during their power plays came from the outside that gave John Gibson very little trouble.

Worst

1. Overtime - Need I say more? The 3-on-3 play for the Ducks has been laughable at best, and it doesn’t show much signs of improvement, outside of the fact that maybe they’re surviving a bit longer than they used to.

2. Kevin Bieksa - Again, not too difficult of a choice. Kevin was a part of the massive defensive breakdown that led to the second Minnesota goal in two minutes late in the second period, much to the surprise of nobody. He continues to prove himself as a liability on the ice more often than not, and for the love of all hockey gods, please return soon Hampus.

3. Hearing Randy Carlyle Say “We’ll Take the Point and Move On” - It can’t just be me that’s already grown just so incredibly tired of hearing this quote in the last couple weeks. It just comes across to me as the most defeated, “oh well” sounding quote about games that really should be won. The Los Angeles Kings can tell the Ducks all about how losing enough games in OT and shootouts can end up costing you a playoff spot come April, so it’s time to say “enough is enough” and figure out a concrete plan for overtimes. Just listen to the postgame interview from Cam Fowler below. Even the players have no idea what the plan is, or what direction they should be going in OT. It’s truly a ship without a captain right now.

Three Stars of the Game

3. Ondrej Kase - Kase recorded another assist tonight, giving him three points in his last three games. He continues to be one of the most threatening Ducks offensively, and he deserves a spot on this list.

2. Matt Dumba - Game winner stuff. Whatever.

1. Adam Henrique - Matt Dumba may have scored an OT game winner, but Adam Henrique scored a goal (that’s now three goals and three assists in his first five games) that got the Ducks a point as well! And he’s Rico Suave, so what now, Wild fans?