Jack Quinn's Goal-Scoring Slump: A Closer Look
Buffalo, NY (WGR 550) - Jack Quinn, a key player for the Buffalo Sabres, is facing a goal-scoring slump. Entering the game against the Anaheim Ducks, Quinn has scored just one goal in 19 games, a stark contrast to his three consecutive goals before that. This season, he's only managed seven goals, which would result in a total of 14 goals over 82 games. Despite his struggles, Quinn's ice time remains steady at almost 16 minutes per game, and he's a crucial part of the second power play unit.
Head coach Lindy Ruff remains calm about Quinn's lack of goals, attributing it to a combination of missed opportunities and a need for improvement in certain aspects of Quinn's game. Ruff highlights that Quinn's opportunities are coming, and he's confident that consistent goal-scoring will follow. He mentions that Quinn's performance last year, when he had fewer opportunities, was impressive, indicating a need for patience.
One area of concern for Ruff is Quinn's positioning around the net. He believes Quinn could be more aggressive in seeking out 'dirtier' goals and rebound opportunities, which often lead to scoring. Quinn himself acknowledges the frustration of the slump, emphasizing the desire to bury the puck in the back of the net. However, he also sees the positive side, noting that the team's overall performance and the number of looks they're getting indicate they're playing good hockey.
Additionally, the article mentions the return of Michael Kesselring to the ice after a high ankle sprain, which has kept him out of three games so far this season. With 26 games missed due to injuries, Ruff expresses optimism that Kesselring could be back in action by mid-week. The Sabres are on a roll, with 12 wins in 13 games, securing their Wild Card position in the Eastern Conference. They've won five straight at home and seven out of eight overall, boasting a strong 13-5-2 record on home ice.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will be in net for the Sabres, with impressive statistics of 8-6-1, a 2.61 goals against average, and a .903 save percentage. He's 4-1-0 in his last five games. The Ducks, on the other hand, are struggling, with an 11-3-1 start followed by a 10-17-2 record. They're currently on an eight-game losing streak and have lost 10 out of 11 games, with a points percentage of .511, placing them 12th in the Western Conference. Goaltending issues are a significant part of the problem, as the Ducks have the highest goals against in the NHL at 3.70.
The Ducks' scoring leaders, Leo Carlsson and Troy Terry, have accumulated 42 points in 43 games. However, Terry missed the last game due to an upper-body injury, while Frank Vetrano has been out for six games with a shoulder fracture, and Petr Mrazek has missed two games with a lower-body injury. The Sabres' pregame show, hosted by Pat Malacaro, will feature interviews with Ruff, Quinn, and Kesselring, providing further insights into the team's strategy and player dynamics.
