The Leon Draisaitl injury changes everything in the Pacific Division and has big implications on how the Western Conference will shape up. The Edmonton Oilers already had their issues and will now be without their star forward until the playoffs, if not longer.
Related: Update: Oilers Get Good News On Draisaitl
Throw in the Anaheim Ducks and the Vegas Golden Knights struggling, and the Pacific is the worst division in the NHL. The Ducks lead it with 77 points. The Ottawa Senators, who are 10th in the Eastern Conference, have the same number of points and a better winning percentage.
Yet, the division is the Ducks to win. It’s up for grabs, and now is their chance to prove they can build something special out west, not just this season but for the future as well.
The Star Power Stands Out
Looking at the Ducks, the first thing that stands out is the elite talent. They average 3.2 goals per game with a trio of Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, and Beckett Sennecke leading the top six, while Jackson LaCombe opens things up at the point. The Ducks, simply put, can run up the score on anyone.
It’s made them a fun team to watch, one that fans in the Eastern time zone will grab a coffee and watch knowing that a ton of goals are coming one way or another. While they are flawed, the offense allows them to win those 5-4 or 6-5 games, and considering how the rest of the division is shaping up, that’s good enough.
The Ducks have more firepower than the Golden Knights, who have a great top six but struggled to find much offense after that. They also have more than the Oilers, who have the best players in the game in Connor McDavid but are without a top-five player for the rest of the season. It’s opened the door for the Duck to pile up some wins and secure that top spot in the division.
Joel Quenneville Gives The Ducks The Playoff Edge
Kris Knoblauch gave the Oilers a few wins in the playoffs in each of the past two runs based on his in-series adjustments. He knew how to manage the goaltending, even though the duo was below average, and when to split up the McDavid and Draisaitl duo to get them favorable matchups.
Now, the coach with the edge in that division is Joel Quenneville, a three-time Stanley Cup winner. Quenneville’s big thing in his Chicago Blackhawks days was the last change or the line matchups. He can do the same with a Ducks team that has the players to mix and match, even with a forward unit that has a reputation of being skilled and fast but not built for the playoffs.
The Ducks have struggled at times this season. They’ve had their issues when the games slow down, and they are asked to forecheck. However, when it matters, Quenneville can pull the right strings.
Can The Ducks Defend to Make a Playoff Run
The big question is whether the Ducks are a fun team that is a year ahead of schedule or if they are built to contend now and for years to come. The defense has been a weak link, allowing 3.4 goals per game, and it’s why they haven’t pulled away with the division and will likely stumble in the playoffs.
The thing is that the Ducks have the talent to defend. With Jacob Trouba and the recently acquired John Carlson, they have the shutdown options who can eliminate offenses in the playoffs when needed.
Better yet, the Ducks have an elite goaltender for the playoffs. Lukas Dostal is one of the best young goaltenders in the NHL and can battle with the best of them. Without question, he’s the best goaltender among the contenders in the division, and he can give them a good fight against the Colorado Avalanche or Dallas Stars when he’s on his game.
The Ducks are the team everyone is sleeping on or ignoring because of the division they play in. Likewise, they are seen as too young to compete. However, they have their opportunity, so expect them to seize it.
