Ducks for me are the team that could come in to the playoffs and crush the dreams of Tampa and Nashville.
I just think they're a pretty good match against Tampa, and something tells me if they played the Preds again, this time they wouldn't lose. Losing to them twice in a row (both times they probably felt like they had it) and now being the underdogs, i just kind of like that dynamic.
First of all they're pain for other teams down the middle.
Getzlaf is Getzlaf
Kesler who is usually banged up should be healthier than ever
Henrique is a really solid 3C and fits right in, another pain in the butt
Vermette one of the best FO guys out there which is good trait for a 4C
They have a good amount of scoring talent on the wings.. Rakell, Perry, Silfverberg, Kase, Eaves, Cogliano and Ritchie can all contribute especially playing with good centers
The defense is still capable, Lindholm, Fowler, Manson, Montour, Bieksa and whoever is the #6 in the playoffs, you have a bit of everything in there (except a superstar #1)
Gibson is a guy who i think is one of the better goalies in the league and one of those guys who can literally steal a game on a consistent basis. He can look straight up unbeatable. I think he's due for a good playoff run. And if something happens to him again, Miller is not a shabby backup.
And most importantly, they're one of the better teams to play that grinders game and playoff style games.
They just have to get to the playoffs.. which isn't going to be an easy task. The way the season has gone, there's more losing culture in there right now than in the past so turning the ship around is going to take some time i think. It'll come down to a semi-late push and they have to be dominant down the line.
But if they can do that, they'll be one of the hottest teams in the league squeezing in to the playoffs as a low seed. Right where they want to be.