Not Just the gatekeepers

The 17-19 year old Americans beating Sweden in the Semi-Final in the World Juniors, the Americans, who were the underdog going the game beat Sweden 5-2 the fifth goal was an empty net. Sweden is considered as being in the "Big 3" for the WJC Canada, Russia, and Sweden in that exact order. The sight of the United States winning, and the American flag being raised to the rafters with the American boys hitting their sticks against the ice after the instrumental US National Anthem has ebbed the pain of the rough spot the Ducks are in and the 5-2 loss to the very talented Chicago team today.

For the most part in the game against Chicago Giguere looked as if he were out of position, he usually doesn't put himself out of position that much; he challenged the shooter too far out of his crease and for the most part the Blackhawks capitalized on it. But goaltending is not what it's all quaked up to be as both Giguere and Hiller are being criticized.

Hiller was solid in the loss to the Nashville Predators last night but the team in front of him was terrible, there were too many turn overs and sloppy players. Ryan Whitney was struck with a puck and came back to the bench with stitches below the side of his mouth. Whitney just doesn't fit in the phantom system of the Ducks, he causes a lot of turnovers and would benefit much better on a different team. In reality, Whitney isn't bad he just isn't what we call a Duck which probably helped push him off as a roster spot on the US roster which doesn't mean he won't replace the injured Paul Martin, and he just very well may do just that if Martin, who sounds doubtful for the Olympics Whitney's name can be etched into the US roster. The team doubted Hiller in Nashville in fact they let the "L" be ticked on the score sheet next to his name. For the Predator fans as their favorite two chants were "Hiller. Hiller. Hiller. YOU SUCK" and "Hiller. You Suck!" the chants didn't seem to faze Hiller whatsoever because he stuck with his strong play if not stronger when the taunted started up.

Giguere has also been good defending the net with a poor team in front of him. The Ducks just may need to fire Randy Carlyle to shake up the team. There has been two teams around the league, the Flyers and the Blue Jackets, who have canned their coach due to poor play the teams have produced for the Ducks to keep to their current coach can't really be explained at least not from a fan perspective. Other then the fact as all Ducks fans know Murray said: "Randy isn't going anywhere"
A majority of fans believe otherwise but the keyword is fans and fans can't do anything about it.

The Ducks are missing three of their top scorers: Ryan Getzlaf, Teemu Selanne, and Joffrey Lupul. Corey Perry is virtually a nobody without Getzlaf centering on his line. Carlyle is constantly switching lines having ridiculous combinations, then changing them up a second later. The Ducks aren't such a strong team when it comes to depth and Carlyle is relying off of a defensive system, which clearly the Ducks lack in. Not being able to put the puck in the back of the net at convenient times, when letting a team get ahead and letting stay ahead isn't going to help. The only thing it'll help is rivals and help bury the Ducks in the standings. Jiggy and Hiller can only do so much because it's not like they have every chance to score, as with the skaters in front of them. Nor could they fend off every single puck especially sloppy play but the defense in front of them. We don't have lack in goal as much as some people want to believe that is probably one if not our strongest in Anaheim. The goalie situation has been widely criticized. Carlyle doesn't say anything on who's starting who's not and had the "You win. You're in" mantra, which was terrible and he still seems to keep with in just slightly even though it's been said, he's "done away with it"

One of the most disappointing is those who are most likely going to retire in a Ducks jersey by the end of this season; it isn't exactly the best way to retire, with the team that seems so strong falter.

For the most part Giguere and Hiller aren't why this team is doing so poorly, it's the lack of depth and injury on the team. Last year, it was doubtful the Ducks would make the playoffs but we did and this year it is doubtful but we still can make it. Getzlaf and Teemu are supposed to be back this week and the return of Getzlaf would drastically help Perry. Lupul is expected to be out for at least another month if not two after his back surgery to repair a herniated disk.