Post-Game: Ducks pull a 4-2 win against Edmonton Oilers, and make a franchise record at the same time.

Boxscore

Recap

Best way to describe this match, probably would be saying that it was definitely ugly. Seriously, sometimes the back and forth play by both teams, it certainly made the game at times look more like an AHL match, rather than NHL match. But still, however, the Ducks were able to collect the 2 points, which puts the Ducks 2 points short of the final playoff spot in the west. So definitely important two points consider how tough the west is, in terms of playoff race. Anaheim also made a franshise record of 11-game win streak at home. So Hockey at Honda Center once again favors the Ducks! :)

But now back two the fact, that the Ducks certainly didn't bring their A game tonight. I think that if the Ducks would've brought this game tonight against any other opponent in the NHL, i doubt they would've walked away with stolen points tonight. And when i say stolen, i mean particurlary the play of Jonas Hiller. Once again, Hiller was sensational all game long, making 37 on 39 shots. Hiller has certainly been on fire lately, as he's now 13-4-0 in the last 17 games, while averaging .928 SV% and a 2.29 GAA. Hiller definitely is showing he deserves the new contract he signed with the Ducks on January 30th.

However, what almost cost the Ducks this game, was the Powerplay. Not the Edmonton Oilers powerplay, which went 0 for 4 on the game. I'm talking about the Ducks powerplay, which recorded 1 for 7 number, while giving up 2 shorthanded goals to the Oilers. Powerplay didn't look good for the Ducks at all, and it was pretty clear, that they hadn't had the time to practice much the powerplay without the injured Ryan Getzlaf. Thankfully Bobby Ryan bailed the Ducks out, scoring with a beautiful snap shot on the powerplay. Ryan also scored the opening goal, when Corey Perry made a nice pass in to front of net, where Ryan was able to put the puck in the net. Todd Marchant re-directed the point shot from James Wisniewski, giving the Ducks the game winning goal on the 3rd period.

I've got to say, all the defensive zone mistakes and bad coverage which have give the Ducks plenty of head scratching this season, well , in this game they probably had their worst defensive effort of the season. Bad turnovers & giveaways on critical moments, which two of them resulted directly in Edmonton goals. Also, they almost everytime lost the puck battles in their own zone and which opened up lanes to quick passing, and good scoring chances for the Oilers. Unfortunaly to them, and fortunately for the Ducks, Jonas Hiller was able to bail the Ducks out quite of many times.

So yeah, not a whole of positive things on this game, expect of course, the 2 points, and in the end that's all that matters. Ducks were able to grap the critical points, albeit unconvincing fashion, so now they can focus on upcoming trip to Alberta this weekend, where they face Flames on Saturday, and then again Oilers in Sunday. Hopefully the Ducks can get Ryan Getzlaf back, and be able to win these two crucial games in hand, before the Olympic Break.

Way to go Ducks!