The Anaheim Ducks may be NHL playoff-bound as their website helpfully informs, but their first-round postseason series just got a whole lot more difficult. With the 2015-16 NHL season's second act a mere two weeks away, the Ducks suddenly find themselves shorthanded at a number of key areas thanks to some late injuries that look likely to keep some of the Ducks' biggest contributors on the shelf.
If the Ducks do, in fact, draw the San Jose Sharks in round one, as it currently looks they will, life sure isn't going to be easy for Anaheim.
The team announced on Friday that netminder Frederik Andersen, forwards David Perron and Rickard Rakell, and defenseman Hampus Lindholm would all be missing time due to a variety of ailments.
Only Lindholm, who is ill, is expected to be available following Anaheim's Friday night matchup against the Vancouver Canucks.
Andersen (21-9-7), was diagnosed with a concussion following a strange outing against the Calgary Flames. His loss may be the biggest for the Ducks at this crucial point, despite John Gibson's inspired play. The 26-year-old Andersen has managed a .917 save percentage and 2.36 goals against average through 42 games this season. He's a restricted free agent in July and one the Ducks would likely prefer to keep, though his efforts this year will probably have his rights in high demand and could lead to an offseason trade.
The injury has caused the Ducks to recall Anton Khudobin.
Despite the importance of having two quality netminders, the loss of Perron for 4-6 weeks with a separated shoulder comes in a close second to Andersen's concussion.
Perron, acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier this season, has managed 8 goals and 20 points through just 28 games with Anaheim. He's proven a strong fit with the Ducks and was likely to be heavily relied on come the postseason.
Rakell, suffering from appendicitis, is also set to miss a likely significant stretch of time for the Ducks.
Now, Anaheim is left wondering what happened and searching for answers at two of their most important position groups with the NHL playoffs just around the corner.
