Ducks Clash with Avalanche, Riding Seven-Game Winning Streak

TORONTO — The Anaheim Ducks are making waves in the NHL with a remarkable seven-game winning streak. Once languishing at the bottom of the standings, they now find themselves first in the Pacific Division, tied for second in the league with the New Jersey Devils, and just two points behind the Colorado Avalanche as they prepare to face them Tuesday night.

General Manager Pat Verbeek believes this is an opportunity for continued growth. “We’ve got a tough game tonight against Colorado,” he stated before the NHL GMs met on Tuesday. “The hardest thing is younger guys learning how to play against mature teams.”

After years of rebuilding, the Ducks hired veteran coach Joel Quenneville in May and made significant roster moves, including trading for Chris Kreider and signing Mikael Granlund. Quenneville, a three-time Stanley Cup winner, has already made a visible impact on the team’s performance.

<p“The guys were eager to do well, and I think we’ve preached puck possession, and the guys have bought into that,” Verbeek commented. The Ducks are currently the highest-scoring team in the NHL, averaging 4.13 goals per game.

Notably, 20-year-old Leo Carlsson, the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, has emerged as a crucial asset, amassing 25 points through 15 games, including an active 10-game point streak. He is tied with Chicago’s Connor Bedard for second in the league in points, just behind Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon.

Verbeek has noted Carlsson’s development, saying, “He’s a threat to score now,” indicating that the talented center is taking on a bigger role this season.

The Ducks also feature several promising young players, including forward Cutter Gauthier, the No. 5 overall pick in 2022, and Beckett Sennecke, the No. 3 pick in 2024. Both are contributing significantly to the team’s offensive success, with Gauthier tied for fourth in the league in goals.

Adding depth, Kreider is making an immediate impact, with nine goals in his first 11 games since joining the Ducks. Meanwhile, goalie Lukas Dostal has been solid, posting an 8-3-1 record with a 2.66 goals-against average.

Though the Ducks have made strides offensively, Vekbeek acknowledges that there are still areas for improvement, particularly on defense as they currently allow 3.07 goals per game. “I still see a lot of room for growth with our defensive game,” he said.

This matchup against Colorado will serve as a critical test for the Ducks as they look to solidify their status as contenders this season.