There was some doubts from fans going into the game against San Jose; yet the hope for fans was still there, just a tiny little spark. The 4-2 win against the rival Sharks who have taken a bite out of the Ducks since the beginning of season. Anaheim had lost four straight just after the Olympic break. There's still a small possibility that the Ducks can make the playoffs. But don't bet your life on it right now. Given how competitive the West Conference is; we'll have to win just abut every game. 13 of the next 16; which on that we may not make the playoffs it really depends, we need at least 90 points to get into the playoffs; given the teams to beat, we may need more points than this.
Jonas Hiller had the first star of the game. Hiller has gradually gotten better since his 'slump'. Hiller, who has been a hard sell against the Sharks last season; struggled when he faced San Jose this season. As the Sharks struggled this game but yet still played well the Ducks had more of an advantage over their rivals. HIller had 31 out of 33 saves to beat the Sharks for the first time this season. He robbed players like Joe Pavelski. Anaheim is good and the talent had was there but it had disappeared and there were/are many excuses for this very reason; why the Ducks weren't/aren't playing well. Hiller had been under fire for a lot this season.
One thing about goalies is they either have composure to jump back from a slump in the same season or they don't they look like they're going to jump back when they start winning some games, but in reality they can't jump back enough to prove to not only their team or their fans but themselves. If the confidence lacks in a goalie; they'll simply put that forth, mentally, in the games they start. Which will force them into a slump and bad games. It is possible Hiller could of been looking like he was going in this direction after the Olympics; earlier in the season, it looked like despite some of his bad games; he'd just pick himself up and just simply dust himself off. However; Hiller hadn't looked to completely unfocused in games he hadn't performed well in and was in for the loss. Hiller this season seems to be not his best as he's struggled, especially as of late.
The win against the Sharks, though. Has to spark his confidence once again. Hiller tends to be a goalie who, even though when he does lose games unlike other goalies doesn't lose everything mentally in future games. This may be given his experience in hockey and his age (28) he has played in two leagues; which have completely different play. European style and then North American style; this experience can definitely help players; playing two different styles of hockey. This could very well be given his 'goalie personality' in wanting to win and improve further. Hiller despite his age in the hockey sense; still has lots to learn within his career. He'll confide himself in future games against opponents and a team who keeps changing their play in front of him from good to bad to worse to Ducks hockey we're all used to seeing. A team can definitely have an impact on a goaltender. He could very well no long trust his teammates and not play well because he has simply lost the confidence in a team who isn't going to help him; therefore he doesn't feel obliged to help them. Hiller has been setting some blame on his teammates more this season but it is unbelieved he has lost confidence in the team in front. Such as his former teammate J.S. Giguere he definitely directs some issues at his own fault rather than just the team. Hiller has the strong ability to pounce on his issues and he realizes his game and his mistakes; which will improve his game and this is why Hiller is such an accountable goaltender.
Sharks vs. Ducks scorers
Final Score: Sharks 2 Ducks 4
1st Period:
Anaheim:
Corey Perry. Assists: Bobby Ryan, Ryan Getzlaf
Teemu Selanne with his 599 Career Goal Assists: Saku Koivu
Lubomir Visnovsky Assists: Dan Sexton, Teemu Selanne
2nd Period: NO SCORING
3rd Period:
San Jose:
Joe Thornton Assists: Jamie McGinn, Devin Setoguchi
Anaheim:
Empty Net: Bobby Ryan Assists: Saku Koivu
San Jose: Jamie McGinn Assists: Kent Huskins
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