This is a massive problem…

The Anaheim Ducks drop a brutal 5–4 loss to the San Jose Sharks despite controlling possession, as massive defensive breakdowns and turnovers sink them again. The Sharks scored 5 goals on just thirteen shots, while Lukas Dostal was pulled after another rough outing since returning from injury. Drew Helleson struggled badly and was finally benched, while the Ducks gave up the first goal for the 25th time in 39 games. Troy Terry recorded a three-point night, with Cutter Gauthier and Pavel Mintyukov helping fuel a late push, but the Ducks’ power play once again produced nothing. Nikita Nesterenko stood out in his return to the lineup, but Anaheim’s systemic defensive issues remain glaring as the losing streak hits three games. #nhl #hockey #anaheimducks #sanjosesharks #macklincelebrini

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30 comments

  6. Helleson is fine as a #3rd. Problem with this team is we have 4 #3rds. Maybe at best they are a #2rd. But definitely zero #1rds and these rds shouldn't be playing for lds also. (cough minty and little Z) This should be priority # last month for beeker. Other problem is the oline need to step up their d game. For instance you blame the first goal on helleson covering the guy on zone entry down the corner, but granlund covering air and not the player is probably the biggest issue on d this team has. They seem to insist on covering lanes and air leaving people wide open all over the ice. (see pk where they insist on not covering the far post and let players just stand there waiting for a pass for some bizarre reason) So when these players get the puck it's either a wide open shot, or a scramble to chase the player down. Line 3 and 4 continue to be the non threat on both sides of the puck. Hopefully colangelo doesn't get "but veteran"d and sit for the rest of the season. But if history has taught us anything this team will continue to play killorn strome vatrano like they are peak players 5 years ago than sit them like they are slow in effective players they are today.

  8. Crazy thought…why not try Minty on the PP? He is an OFD after all. If you are going to throw 5 left handers on the 1st unit, at least put the guys producing on there.

  11. Nesterenko and Minty should never be healthy scratched. Disappointed in Kreider, hasn't done a lot after since early in the season. I often wonder what this team would look like if we hadn't traded Zegras. Power Play still looks terrible, 2 man advantage and I counted 3 shots…. SHOOT THE PUCK!

  12. Nesterenko needs to stay in the lineup. Hes a smaller and maybe more skilled Ross Johnston which seems to work well with Poehling.

    McT-Cutter-Sennecke need to be split up. Put more responsible forwards out there. That line is constantly not ensuring safe breakouts.

    Helleson needs to sit. Long. Forever. He’s worse than Gudas.

    They need to be held accountable.

  13. It's amazing how many board battles we lose despite outnumbering the opponent in the corner and then someone is there wide open in the slot to stick it up your ass.

  19. Defense always starts the offense. If the defense sucks, no offense. Doesn't matter how many goals you can score. If D isnt fixed, they will either make playoffs and get booted in first round or they won't make it at all.

  25. This feels a bit harsh on the Ducks, and I'm a Sharks fan! Obviously some lapses by the Ducks but they win that 9 times out of 10, and overall they played it right. Pressure the hell out of the Sharks' weak defense to prevent clean up passes to… I was going to say the dangerous forwards, but mostly just Mack. Wild game regardless. Should be a fun rivalry soon but I think y'all will get to see some playoff action this season before we join you there in '27.

  27. This is a thing for the Sharks, they generate quality chances and not quantity.
    It can be painful to watch but then you look up and they have 5 goals on 20 shots. I do like and am jealous of the style that the Ducks play.
    Edit: I just checked, the Sharks own the 3rd best shooting percentage in the NHL. Behind only the Stars and the Canadiens.

  28. The biggest issue is the complete lack of defense. Mintyukov is the only one really trying, but since his scratch, he seems far more focused on his offensive play. Trouba, along with Zellweger, Lacombe, and the rest of the group, have been completely ineffective defensively.

  29. Leo must not be near 100% because he is a pretty invisible now.. hopefully he gets his game back soon. Strome has never-ever been impactful for this club.. however long he’s been here. Killorn has regressed to be Strome2, although i don’t think he ever lived up to the contract he signed in terms of scoring. Cannot totally blame him the 2 previous seasons as the team was terrible, but this year he’s a mediocre 4th liner at best. Totally agree with making these guys accountable for making the same defensive coverage mistakes over and over again.. would have expected Q to address this already..

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