How the Anaheim Ducks have momentarily pulled out of their early season tailspin

Ethan McGarvey writes that the Anaheim Ducks have temporarily halted an early-season slide after securing consecutive victories, including a 5-4 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night. The turnaround improved the Ducks' record to 7-7-1. The writer attributes the recent resurgence to a historic goal-scoring streak by Cutter Gauthier, serviceable goaltending from third-string netminder Laurent Brossoit, and a league-leading power play unit.

Gauthier set a franchise record by recording back-to-back hat tricks and became the first player in NHL history with multiple power-play goals in three straight games. The Ducks currently lead the NHL with a 38% power-play conversion rate, having scored on 11 of their last 14 chances. McGarvey notes that Anaheim continues its road trip against Pacific Division rivals, the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames.