The Anaheim Ducks have gone 3-5-2, including an overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday, but retained the inside track toward a playoff spot. This, despite being just three points ahead of the Los Angeles Kings, who have a win in hand.
Anaheim failed to clinch its playoff spot Sunday but can do so Monday if the Nashville Predators knock off the San Jose Sharks. If the Predators, also in the hunt for a playoff spot, fail, the Ducks will have to wait until a showdown with the Minnesota Wild, per Dan Arritt of NHL.com.
The Ducks have demonstrated a very real struggle to rise to the occasion down the stretch and do what it needs to clinch the postseason without the late-season drama. Some of that can be attributed to inconsistent offense and defense, glaring weaknesses for a team that will have to overcome the likes of Colorado and Dallas if they want to represent the Western Conference.
A new defensive system has left the team near the bottom of the league in overall defense, while the inconsistent play of their forwards has been underwhelming, to say the least.
Their point differential of -15 is indicative of those defensive woes.
While they may confirm their spot in the playoffs by the end of Tuesday, the stumbling Ducks (1-5-2 in their last eight) do not look long for the Stanley Cup hunt, a potential easy-out for Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers.
