Don't discount the Ducks.
Not often named among Stanley Cup contenders, Anaheim has been one of the most consistent clubs this season.
With a 29-17-10 showing through 56 games, the Ducks sit second in the Pacific and just two points back of the division-leading San Jose Sharks. They also rank among the best in nearly all statistical categories.
It starts on the blue line, where Anaheim boasts one of the league's most impressive units. Veteran Kevin Bieksa is the lone rearguard older than 25, with a young core of Hampus Lindholm, Cam Fowler, and Sami Vatanen leading the way. The next wave, including Shea Theodore and Brandon Montour, has also made critical contributions.
The team's commitment to a strong defensive game has been key to its success this season, and it's paid off for netminders John Gibson and Jonathan Bernier, who have allowed just 141 goals - sixth-lowest league-wide.
That dominance extends to special teams. The St. Louis Blues and Calgary Flames are the only teams in the West firing better on the man advantage than Anaheim, which is converting at a 20.8 percent clip. It also sits seventh on the penalty kill, negating 84 percent of its calls against.
Anaheim's only true weakness is its trouble finding the back of the net. Seven skaters have double-digit goal totals, but the trio of Rickard Rakell, Ryan Kesler, and Jakob Silfverberg have combined for more than one-third of the tallies. With just 147 goals this year, Anaheim sits 19th league-wide, but still sports a plus-six goal differential, thanks to its strong defensive game.
With the trade deadline less than three weeks out, it may be worthwhile for the Ducks to dip into their depth of riches on the blue line to build up their scoring arsenal. Boosting the offensive touch of a team that sits third-best since the turn of the calendar could set them up for a return to the winner's circle.
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