The improvement in Ducks 5on5 play has been remarkable early on this season. Ducks have improved to a respectable, middle of the pack in xGF% at 50.20% per Natural Stat Trick.
This was a close game and with better finishing - or less outstanding goaltending - could have been a blowout either way. It seems the youth have taken in Cronin's systems really well as it seemingly doesn't matter what the lineup is and the results remain largely the same. It's a pretty even group regarding the defensemen #5-8 or so, defensively speaking. And suprisingly, none of them are really struggling. Extended defensive zone time has lead to dangerous scoring chances but there have been far less defensive zone breakdowns.
Let's see if the results don't start coming in if the team keeps on working to overcome the special teams funk or if we start to see a sort of quitters mentality set in.