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Arizona Coyotes 2015 Opponents: Anaheim Ducks

By William Grigsby |

The Arizona Coyotes will have to get through the tough teams of the Western Conference.  There are no easy games. In preparation for the season we take a look at each team in the league:

Today we look at: Anaheim Ducks

 2014-15 record: 51-24-7, 1st in the Pacific. Lost in seven games to Chicago in the Western Conference Finals

How the Arizona Coyotes did last season against the Ducks: 4 games, 1-3-0

Schedule this year against the Arizona Coyotes: Wed 10/14 at Anaheim, Mon 11/9 at Anaheim, Wed 11/25  at Home, Thur 3/3 Home

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Team Newcomers: G Anton Khudobin, LW Carl Hagelin, D Kevin Bieksa, C Shawn Horcoff, RW Chris Stewart, RW Mike Santorelli

Now Ex-Players: RW Kyle Palmieri, D Francois Beauchemin, LW Matt Beleskey, G Jason LaBarbera

Coached by: Bruce Boudreau (5th year)

Who is in Net:

It looks like Frederik Andersen will be the starter, backed up by Anton Khudobin.  Elite prospect, John Gibson will probably spend the season in the AHL for one more year of seasoning.

Quick thoughts about the Ducks:

  • The Ducks didn’t do much quacking in the off-season. Adding Carl Hagelin on defense and forwards Kevin Bieksa were the main additions. Like this team needs to get stronger.
  • They may be able to get by the Blackhawks, especially with all the players they had to get rid of to meet the cap restrictions. 
  • It seems to be now or never for this team to win a Cup. Their two big stars, Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry are now 30, and the clock is ticking. I think they know what they need to do, but will it happen?

Why the Ducks will win the Stanley Cup:

They made some good acquisitions, and you can’t miss with the Perry and Getzlaf show. If their defense is decent, and the goaltending holds up, they certainly can’t be counted out.

Why the Ducks will not win the Stanley Cup:

Defense and goaltending are not great. They could get knocked out of the playoffs in the semi-finals.

Three Things We Like About You:

  1. Watching Perry and Getzlaf work their magic is something else. Two excellent NHL forwards. Wish we had one or both of them.
  2. Road trips to Anaheim are fun, and it even could distract your play. (I wonder if that’s why they are so successful at home)
  3. That you changed your name from the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Thanks for that.

Three Things We Do Not Like About You:

  1. That you always are tough to play at home, and we really don’t do well there.
  2. That your team is so physical, and likes to push our players around. Well, we have John (the behemoth) Scott to contend with this year, let’s see how physical you are with him.
  3. That you’ll win a Cup before us…oh wait that includes quite a few teams, unfortunately.

Prediction:

Your team is very talented, and will more than likely run away with the Pacific Division once again. When you get to the playoffs you may not make it as far as last season. The L.A. Kings are claiming they are rested (from not making the post-season last year) and ready to take you on for top dog of the Pacific. Should be a classic battle.

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