The Bruce Boudreau era is off to a rocky start in Anaheim, while the Sharks next opponent now has the best record in the NHL.
The Ducks changed coaches last Wednesday, firing Randy Carlyle and hiring Boudreau, who was fired by Washington two days prior. Since then, the Ducks have blown two substantial leads, including a 5-3 loss to Minnesota on Sunday night.
Anaheim jumped ahead to a 2-0 first period lead only to be outscored 5-1 the rest of the way.
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Goaltender Jonas Hiller was blunt in his assessment of the Ducks after the game, telling the L.A. Times:
"I don't think we're playing really solid in our own end. I think that's where you can see why we're not winning. Those guys always seem to get inside, to kind of walk through two guys and suddenly get a two-on-one out of nothing. Even though we have guys back. It seems like we're just too cute."It looks like we are there but not really there. Physically there, but probably mentally we are already in the other zone or still in the dressing room. I don't know what. To me it looks like we get so many errors."Suddenly, guys are all by themselves in the slot out of a nothing play and suddenly two guys chasing one guy. We're playing here in the NHL, and I don't think it should happen."
The Ducks also lost in Boudreaus debut on Friday against Philadelphia, surrendering a 3-0 lead in that game to lose in overtime, 4-3.
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Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild now find themselves atop the NHL with 37 points as they prepare for another game at HP Pavilion on Tuesday night. They have won their last three road games despite falling behind 2-0 in each of them.
"It's a question of sticking with it," Cal Clutterbuck told NHL.com. "I think the amazing thing is when you can stick with it and things actually start to happen for you. That's kind of what encourages you and gives you the confidence to sit in those, 2-0, 2-1 games, and just be like, 'Let's keep with it. We'll get it.'"
The Sharks won their only game against Minnesota on Nov. 10 at home, 3-1, led by Patrick Marleaus two second period power play goals.