With the Edmonton Oilers first round opponent set, eyes across Oil Country are fixated on the Anaheim Ducks. With that in mind let’s take a closer look into the Ducks, how they play, and which Ducks will be factors in the series.
Verbeek has made unexpected calls that paid off
Pat Verbeek is the GM of the Ducks, and his team has his fingerprints all over it. Never shy to make his own call at the draft table or at the negotiating table, Verbeek has been quite bold in his roster decisions. While some of his moves have been questioned at the time, it seems Verbeek has done quite well in trusting his gut.
At the draft table Verbeek has used high picks in somewhat unexpected ways. The Ducks took Leo Carlsson over Adam Fantilli in the 2023 draft, as well as Beckett Sennecke third overall in the 2024 draft, both of which were considered against consensus.
Verbeek also has made some interesting moves elsewhere. He gave Mason McTavish a tough contract negotiation, which looks a bit different given the young centre’s down season. Verbeek also acquired veterans with expensive cap hits, particularly in New York Rangers cast offs Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba.
To top it all off Verbeek traded away Trevor Zegras. The talented and flamboyant centre has been a revelation for the Philadelphia Flyers, yet the Ducks seem better off as well. While in a vacuum some might question getting rid of a young talent like Zegras, it speaks to Verbeek’s effectiveness that the team has found a way to improve despite the loss.
Quenneville behind the bench
During some lean seasons the Ducks were coached by Dallas Eakins, then Greg Cronin. Neither were able to get much out of the Ducks, particularly on special teams where the Ducks routinely struggled. Now with Joel Quenneville behind the bench, some might point to the coaching in identifying the team’s change of fortune.
To some extent there might be some truth, as the power play is drastically improved, though still near the bottom of the league. The ducks have morphed into a passive zone defence, clogging the middle rather than focusing on tight individual checking.
The Ducks live in transition, for better or for worse. Their aggressive forecheck creates turnovers, which comprise a large portion of the team’s offence. By the same token, their aggressive passing niching can also lead to turnovers the other way.
Quenneville certainly deserves some credit, but the Ducks are far from a precise team. Their success stems from individual talent more than it does from tight systems or strong special teams. A point of interest for Oilers fans is that former head coach Jay Woodcroft is running the Ducks power play.
While still underwhelming, the Ducks have greatly improved their unit over last season. The Ducks weaponize handedness, placing Carlsson on his strong side flank to set up the power play. Forwards in the slot will rotate based on which side the set up is on, opening for one timers and hoping to confuse coverage swapping from high to low.
Leo Carlsson is the future of the team
Already mentioned twice, Leo Carlsson is likely the future captain of the Ducks, and will likely be thought of as the team’s best player if he is not already. Carlsson is big, and provides a good defensive game. His rush offence and his playmaking author many of his highlights, but there are key subtleties to his game.
Carlsson was likely one of the most crucial absences from the Olympics, as he likely would have been the Swedes best centre. Carlsson has been full value as a top centre this season, and might come to be known as one of the league’s best centres sooner than later.
While he can be effective in physical battles at both net fronts, Carlsson’s skating and playmaking are bold, using his crossovers to confuse and contort defenders on the rush. He has an aptitude for playmaking, especially given the strength to do so in contested areas.
For now, Carlsson will centre a line with Troy Terry and Chris Kreider. Terry is a playmaker, Kreider a net front power forward. This will likely be the top line for the Oilers to shut down. They will need some size and strength to deal with Carlsson and Kreider, but they will also need to be weary of turnovers. The Ducks thrive off of a counter attacking rush offence, so puck management will be vital in limiting opportunities against.
Cutter Gauthier brings high production
The Ducks leading goal scorer, Gauthier famously asks his way off of the Philadelphia Flyers before playing an NHL game. The Flyers and Ducks both made the playoffs this season breaking long droughts. Still, Gauthier is a vital piece of the Ducks attack.
With his size, speed, and quick release, Gauthier should be able to replicate his high scoring season. It is somewhat curious that Gauthier is not on the top power play unit, perhaps hinting at even more upside ahead. These elite physical traits are impossible to deny, among the best in the league according to NHL Edge stats.
Gauthier seems to be starting on the third line alongside Ryan Poehling and Mason McTavish. This is a lot of talent down the lineup, and could present matchup issues. The Oilers will need enough depth to handle big skilled players like Gauthier and McTavish.
Beckett Sennecke continues to impress
The theme of impressive physical traits continues with Sennecke. The rookie winger is a force, size, speed, strength, a blistering shot to boot. Sennecke is very poised with the puck, hanging onto the puck for an extra dangle, finding a seam or an open shot.
Sennecke was a late bloomer in his draft season, and has continued a steady upward trajectory. His physical traits are enough that his game has translated quite well to the NHL. He is determined enough and strong enough to be an effective checker, fast enough to carry the puck into the offensive zone, and skilled enough to bury his chances.
Sennecke is starting on the second line with veterans Mikael Granlund and Alex Killorn. If the Oilers can shut down the rookie Sennecke it might force the Ducks into some lineup changes. Granlund has had a strong season, especially down the stretch, but requires proper support to be effective.
Trouba and Gudas add physicality
It must be mentioned that the Ducks have two rugged defencemen with a history of questionable play. Many around the league feel that Jacob Trouba and Radko Gudas are dirty players. While this might be a bit harsh, it is undeniable that each has their share of dirty plays.
Any Oiler that shares the ice with these two will have to be mindful. A split second in a vulnerable position might impact the series, either between the whistles or after it. The Oilers are no strangers to playoff hockey and its relative lawlessness, but especially for the Oilers younger players this needs to be an emphasis. Gudas is injured, but should not be presumed out for the series.
Defensive force of Jackson LaCombe
LaCombe is the Ducks top defenceman. He is big and fast enough to handle all situations, playing effectively on both sides of the puck. If anything, the Ducks have relied too heavily on LaCombe.
This makes him a player the Oilers should target. If LaCombe is under the fire of an aggressive forecheck he might be knocked off of his game. This would be disastrous for the Ducks. Forecheckers at the top of the lineup will have to wear on LaCombe each and every game to keep the pressure on. Zach Hyman and Vasily Podkolzin will be crucial to this operation.
LaCombe is paired with the veteran Trouba, who does offer some support. Still, the Oilers would do well to pressure LaCombe, forcing Trouba to handle more of the puck moving duties than usual.
John Carlsson adds stability
The Ducks biggest trade deadline acquisition, Carlson has been a revelation. Foremost, Carlson seems to have stabilized young Pavel Mintyukov on the Ducks second pairing. Carlson has taken some tough special teams minutes off of LaCombe’s plate as well. His offensive skills are well documented, and he has made the Ducks power play more dangerous.
With his experience Carlson might be better positioned to handle intense forechecking than some of the Ducks younger offensive options. For that reason pressuring him might be more important. Carlson and Mintyukov will be deployed in offensive situations, and can both move the puck.
The key to wearing down this pairing might come in their own defensive zone. The Oilers might look to exploit them by cycling and owning the net front. Given the impact that Carlson has on the rest of the blueline, neutralizing his impact will have ripples throughout the lineup.
Oilers must stop Lukas Dostal
Fans who merely check simple stat lines might not understand the importance of Dostal. Handling a big workload in terms of volume of starts, Dostal is often left to the wolves with some loser defending from the Ducks.
The Ducks have shifted to a passive zone defence in their own zone, looking to counter punch off of turnovers. They are trying to clog the middle, which could lead to extended zone time for the Oilers. The give up their share of rush chances against as well. With a sub par penalty kill, there is little help for Dostal to put up gaudy statistics.
That said, Dostal is skilled enough to battle through regardless. To an extent he can handle being under siege much of the time. He might give the Ducks their only true advantage on paper, making his role even more important.
The Oilers will need to get to Dostal early and often to mitigate his impact on the series. If his confidence is shaken, or his team’s confidence in him shaken, it could force the Ducks away from their offensive mindset.
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