Jonas Hiller and the Ducks Shutout Predators

What the heck was that?

Oh, sorry, I've gotten so used to starting all of my posts like that. It's like my fingers just took over.  Let's try that again...

WAHOO!

If it looks like a win, walks like a win, quacks like a win ... we'll take it!

The Ducks needed a victory on Thursday night against the visiting Nashville Predators more than anything. We've been seeing them improve steadily over the past few games, and getting two much-needed points is essentially all that mattered.

To say that the Ducks played a great game, well, that's pushing it. However, to say that Jonas Hiller played a great game is an understatement.

Coming off of a tough loss Tuesday night, Hiller needed a boost of confidence, and that boost came in a hard fought shutout.

The Ducks' still patchy defense gave up 40 shots on goal; meanwhile, Hiller channeled his klepto-glove tendencies and was perfectly poised to stop them all. Any and all means of positivity and confidence are what this team needs right now.

Likewise, what may have seemed to be a one game fluke has turned into a two game building block. I'm talking about the remarkably successful penalty kill. After struggling early on with their penalty killing unit, the Ducks have been shorthanded 11 times over the last two games and have killed each successfully.

Meanwhile, emerging pests like Mike Brown, Petteri Nokelainen, Todd Marchant, and Ryan Carter are all enjoying increased ice time in killing those penalties and are doing a fabulous job at it.   

Now, if the Ducks can only find that same success on the power play.

Thursday night saw what will hopefully be the spark for a continuing offensive boom.  Beginning the third period up 1-0, it seemed apparent the Ducks were ready to set into old habits of playing safe, defensive hockey. 

We all know what happens to this team when they decide to sit back and watch the opposition take charge of a game.

However, for the first time this season, we may have seen the first glimmer of hope from Finns Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu. Fans have been waiting to experience the so-called chemistry between the two, and finally seeing Koivu and Selanne connect on a goal to put the Ducks up 2-0 was absolutely electrifying. 

This game must be the start of something bigger for Anaheim. The Ducks are in no position to falter or stutter from this point out.

Obviously, they aren't going to finish the season undefeated, but they do need to find a way to start winning games with regularity. 

This season is far from over. If the Ducks continue playing each game with the passion, drive, and determination to come out victorious ... well, you'll hear very little complaining from me. 

GO DUCKS!!!