Anaheim Ducks

The Quick "Two" Blog
April 8, 2017, 11:38 AM ET [5 Comments]
Ed Stein
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2 Games

Yesterday, The NHL's Department of Player Safety (DPS) suspended Ducks forward Nick Ritchie for two games as a result of his on ice altercation with Chicago defenseman Michal Rozsival. The deciding factors for the suspension, the DPS cited that the incident qualified as roughing, Rozsival was not a willing combatant and that an injury occurred.

I don't necessarily agree, but I understand. The league can't have players delivering right cross KO's when ever they see fit. It's well within their purview and if they want to give a suspension based on that, fine. I have more of an issue with the injury part. DSP said Rozsival was defenseless. At any time Rozsival could have skated away. He saw Ritchie drop the gloves, but stayed in place like he was taking a charge in basketball. At this juncture, if the injury is factored in Ritchie is being penalized for Rozsival's glass jaw.

2 Days to 2 Seed

Two days remain in the 206-17 regular season. An Anaheim win, or an Edmonton loss will clinch a fifth straight division title for the Ducks and the second seed in the Western Conference. Obviously, tonight's Edmonton – Vancouver tilt will play a hand in Ducks coach Randy Carlyle's decision making on tomorrow's lineup.

2 Straight Blanks

If the Ducks and Hawks meet up again this season, it will be in the Western Conference Finals. One thing that Anaheim will have in their favor is that they shut out their potential opponents in two consecutive games down the stretch. That's a huge mental edge for the Ducks defense.

2 Masked Men

John Gibson's recent performances have proven that he's ready to be the Ducks main man in the playoffs. Hats (or masks) off to Jonathan Bernier, who stepped up during Gibson's injury absence. It has to be reassuring to Carlyle that he has two great options in goal.

2 to 6

The Duck's announced that defenceman Cam Fowler will miss two to six weeks with a knee injury. At a period when teams are usually mum about injuries, its curious that the Ducks would publicize that particular time frame. If Fowler comes back in two weeks, does it mean that the injury wasn't bad, he's a fast healer or more importantly will he be 100%? On the other hand, if he's out for six weeks (Stanley Cup Finals), was the injury very serious, does Fowler need surgery, or is it even worth it at that point to bring him back?