Ducks at Nashville, vs Predators

The number of times I wanted to just turn the television off and go to sleep might indicate just how awful this game felt.

Might I add that the game ended before 8pm?

Not that our boys played particularly badly, although I still don't like that our defense is often nowhere in sight (where's our D? Pfft, our D just played the Winter Classic, that's where), but watching a team struggle again and again... it's tiring. Poor Scotty Niedermayer is a -11 right now. Ugh.

Our one Duck goal in this game came from hard-working Mike Brown. THE hardest-working player on the Ducks roster game in and game out, is Mike Brown hands down. I like seeing Evgeny Artyukhin back out on the ice, and especially the way he played tonight. He was in the crease, causing havoc with his huge frame, and it allows guys like Mikey to get pucks in the net.

Right from the very beginning, our lack of defense is glaring. Jonas Hiller stood on his head and, behind a solid D, we would have won this game. But our boys relied too heavily on Hiller, even from the first puck drop, and there's only so much a goalie can do. If you missed this game, at least watch the highlight reel saves... Hiller has a number of awesome ones worth seeing.

Ryan Whitney is now sporting a Frankenstein-like scar on his lower left cheek thanks to taking a puck to the face. I'm glad he wasn't badly hurt, but honestly, if a top 6 defenseman goes out on IR, maybe we could call up a rookie with potential. Another Dan Sexton, but on defense?

I'll try to stay positive and focus on the few bright spots in tonight's game. Saku Koivu, again doing the little things. Even he has had to bump up his defense. As a smaller player, Saku does a great job darting into passing lanes and getting his stick in people's way.

Matt Belesky, again doing a great job being physical. He was on that puck, fighting for it along the boards and in the corners. Still loving this kid.

And final kudos to Corey Perry, who I noticed a number of times showing off those awesome stick-handling skills. That boy can move a puck. He didn't have any goals this game, but his skill is still there. Perry misses Ryan Getzlaf, it's very obvious.

I think we all miss Getzy... and Teemu Selanne... and Joffrey Lupul.