Ducks Get Early Present
By Michael Walters
Yesterday the Anaheim Ducks received an early Christmas present when it was announced that Ryan Miller re-signed with the team for next season. Miller signed a one-year deal for $1 million per Cap Friendly.
Last season Miller was planning to retire, but then COVID arrived putting a halt to the season and a hold on his decision. During the offseason, Miller took a wait and see approach as to whether he would return to the NHL this season. He even appeared on NBCSN’s show “Hockey At Home” with his wife Noureen DeWulf stating at the time he was undecided if he would return.
His return solidifies Anthony Stolarz and Lukas Dostal as maintaining minor league roles at least for the start of the NHL season.
Miller’s all-time stats include a 387-281-86 record, a 2.61 GAA, and .915 SV%. He also has 44 shutouts.
NHL Schedule Released
This week the NHL released the schedule for the 2020-21 season, which will be 56 games. The teams will play their division opponents only for the regular season.
The top four teams in each division will square off in the first two rounds of the playoffs. The top team will play the fourth-best team. The second and third place teams face each other. The winners of each series will then face each other to determine a division winner. Under the new format, one Canadian team is guaranteed to make the Conference Finals.
For more about the season’s upcoming format visit: NHL Board of Governor Approve Agreement
The Anaheim Ducks will see the departure of the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks under the new division format. The Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, and St. Louis will join the division, which isn’t going to make life any easier for Anaheim this season.
The interesting part of the schedule is that the teams will face off against their division opponents in many back-to-back scenarios. Anaheim has a difficult schedule in January playing Vegas first, then Minnesota, Colorado, and St. Louis. They also face Arizona who isn’t exactly a pushover.
The real fun comes in April when the Ducks will play the Kings in five straight games. It will be like a mini-playoff series and should be exciting. Given the current situation of the team and the new division, it’s going to be a challenging season. At least the Ducks can look forward to having Miller back in between the pipes.
Anaheim’s 2020-21 Schedule
January
Thursday, January 14 at Vegas
Saturday, January 16 at Vegas
Monday, January 18 vs. Minnesota
Wednesday, January 20 vs. Minnesota
Friday, January 22 vs. Colorado
Sunday, January 24 vs. Colorado
Tuesday, January 26 at Arizona
Thursday, January 28 at Arizona
Saturday, January 30 vs. St. Louis
Sunday, January 31 vs. St. Louis
February
Wednesday, February 3 at Los Angeles
Friday, February 5 vs. San Jose
Saturday, February 6 vs. San Jose
Tuesday, February 9 at Vegas
Thursday, February 11 at Vegas
Saturday, February 13 at San Jose
Monday, February 15 at San Jose
Thursday, February 18 vs. Minnesota
Saturday, February 20 vs. Minnesota
Monday, February 22 at Arizona
Wednesday, February 24 at Arizona
Friday, February 26 vs. Vegas
Saturday, February 27 vs. Vegas
March
Monday, March 1 vs. St. Louis
Wednesday, March 3 vs. St. Louis
Friday, March 5 at Colorado
Saturday, March 6 at Colorado
Monday, March 8 vs. Los Angeles
Wednesday, March 10 vs. Los Angeles
Friday, March 12 vs. San Jose
Saturday, March 13 vs. San Jose
Tuesday, March 16 vs. Arizona
Thursday, March 18 vs. Arizona
Monday, March 22 at Minnesota
Wednesday, March 24 at Minnesota
Friday, March 26 at St. Louis
Saturday, March 27 at St. Louis
Monday, March 29 at Colorado
Wednesday, March 31 at Colorado
April
Friday, April 2 vs. Arizona
Sunday, April 4 vs. Arizona
Friday, April 9 vs. Colorado
Sunday, April 11 vs. Colorado
Monday, April 12 at San Jose
Wednesday, April 14 at San Jose
Friday, April 16 vs. Vegas
Sunday, April 18 vs. Vegas
Tuesday, April 20 at Los Angeles
Monday, April 26 at Los Angeles
Wednesday, April 28 at Los Angeles
Friday, April 30 vs. Los Angeles
May
Saturday, May 1 vs. Los Angeles
Monday, May 3 at St. Louis
Wednesday, May 5 at St. Louis
Friday, May 7 at Minnesota
Saturday, May 8 at Minnesota
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December 24th, 2020