Ducks notes: A win vs. Oilers equals third-straight Pacific Division title
There will be no champagne showers in the Anaheim Ducks dressing room tonight, win or lose. With the moribund Edmonton Oilers in town and only one win separating the Ducks from their third-straight Pacific Division title, the Ducks may have a reason to celebrate come Wednesday night (starting at 6:30 p.m. on FOX Sports West).
But that's just not how hockey does it.
"In baseball, they would be having a champagne party here," said Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau. "But this isn't baseball."
It's been a foregone conclusion that the Ducks would take the Pacific Division for a couple months now. But for the second year in a row, Anaheim has struggled to match its torrid early-season pace in the home stretch. The Ducks slumped before the trade deadline and they stumbled again on their recent road trip.
Now, riding a three-game winning streak coming into Wednesday night's tilt at the Honda Center, the priority is continuing to play at this level.
"It's something that we want to do, but at the same time, I think our goals are a little bit bigger," Boudreau said. "To us, it's another step closer -- if we win -- to solidifying where we want to be."
The Oilers are sixth in the Pacific Division and have already been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, but they've still won the last three games. The only role Edmonton is playing these days is spoil sport -- and it's one they've had success with lately.
"I think it's tricky because they've been playing well," said Anaheim winger Andrew Cogliano. "Their first line has been playing strong and I think their power play has been first since All-Star break week, that's what we've been told. I think the motivation for us is just to keep playing well."
In the #NHLDucks Morning Report: @Ryan_Kesler may sit; Pacific Division title within reach: http://t.co/sIJXeCmT4x pic.twitter.com/kcH7cX2ct2
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) April 1, 2015
Yes, it's a favorable matchup and even a favorable schedule the rest of the way out for Anaheim. And the Ducks are still the leaders in the President's Trophy race with a league-leading 105 points.
But if they take a break now, that break may become longer than intended.
"There's not a switch that you can turn on in the playoffs," Cogliano said. "I think guys realize that now is the time to create good habits, play well, do the right things on the ice and play the right way. And then when you get into the playoffs, it just kind of continues. That's motivation enough."
Frederik Andersen was the first goalie off the ice Wednesday morning and will presumably start in net for Anaheim. Ryan Kesler who was banged up on the road, is "good to go", according to Boudreau, but there was no indication as to whether or not he will play against Edmonton.
#SocialNight
Wednesday night is Social Media Night and many of the more social-media friendly Ducks are embracing it.
We want YOU to be part of #DucksSocial! Make sure to tag your tweets with the hashtag & see them inside @HondaCenter and on @FoxSportsWest!
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) April 1, 2015
"You're able to better interact with your community," said defenseman James Wizniewski. "We come here and a lot of us live in different places throughout the summer or come from different places, but when you come to Anaheim or Orange County, you get to interact with the community and the people surrounding you, like the fans that come to games and help support the teams. So to be able to interact with them, it's truly a pleasure to get to know them."
Several social media elements will be included in both the arena entertainment and also on the FOX Sports West broadcast.
