Anaheim Ducks coach Greg Cronin and the Ducks' leadership group believe in the team's potential identity.

The Anaheim Ducks are already 12 games into their 2024-25 campaign. They are currently seventh in the Pacific division and 28th in the overall NHL standings with a 4-6-2 record (12 points).

They are the worst offensive team in the NHL, generating only 2.08 goals per game and 2.83 expected goals per 60 minutes (all strengths), good enough for 23rd place.

Defensively, their traditional numbers are a bit better, thanks in large part to the early play of goaltender Lukas Dostal and, to a lesser degree, an emphasis on protecting cycle chances by limiting opposing shots mostly to the perimeter. 

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The Ducks are 13th in goals against per game with 3.00 but have given up 3.85 expected goals per 60 minutes (all strengths), good enough for 31st.

"We've got to believe that the way we're trying to play right now, it works," head coach Cronin said before the Ducks' game against the Canucks on Tuesday. "I spoke to some of the leaders during the flight home from Pittsburgh. (We) had very meaningful conversations about where the team was at, what they felt the identity was, and what it needed to be to execute a good game plan.

"I think (against) Chicago, we did a really good job of that, and they've got to believe in it. They just gotta stick to it. (For) all these young guys, that's the challenge with them because they haven't probably been held accountable to a system where their commitment to it creates a connectivity to the way we play."

On the ice, Cronin deploys a high-pressure forechecking system in the offensive and neutral zones and a man-to-man defensive zone coverage scheme.

Ideally, this system quickly forces turnovers while eliminating passing options, allowing the Ducks to catch opponents flat-footed and out of position to defend.

The style has proven successful with recent Stanley Cup winners like the Colorado Avalanche in 2022 and the Florida Panthers in 2024.

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However, when those necessary turnovers aren't manufactured, it leads to extended defensive zone time for the Ducks, where energy depletes as defenders must maintain position on their assignment throughout the zone, and transition opportunities are ineffectual or non-existent once possession is gained.

Offensively, the team's goals are to capitalize on turnovers forced and, when on the cycle, work pucks low to high in the zone while amplifying shot volume and traffic to the slot.

The most successful example of the mandated offensive strategy came on Sunday when the Ducks hosted the Chicago Blackhawks and held the shot attempt advantage by a 93-47 margin and the shots on goal advantage by a 40-29 margin but ultimately lost the game 4-2.

The Ducks are starved for offense as they've only managed three or more (non-empty net) goals twice this season, against the Utah Hockey Club on Oct. 16 and against the Colorado Avalanche on Oct. 18.

"There are guys whiffing on shots, flubbing shots, and I don't know. This is getting to be like 'Groundhog Day.' We keep talking about the lack of scoring," Cronin said following the team's 5-1 loss against the Canucks. "I didn't play at this level, and I wasn't a scorer in college, so I can't really tell you.

"I hear it from them that they're gripping their sticks, and if that's your biggest contribution to the team, is goal scoring like Frank (Vatrano), (McTavish) is a scorer, Trevor (Zegras) has scored goals, (and) Troy (Terry) scores, I'm sure it's stressful for them.

"They gotta keep shooting it, right? The more you shoot it, the more opportunities you have to score."

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The coaching staff, as well as players, seem to be on the same page as far as their philosophy on how to create offense.

"First touches, if they go straight to the D (at the point), (it) typically results in more shots," Ducks forward Alex Killorn said. "I think we hold onto it, try to do it ourselves, and we end up turning it over."

"I think we just have to sustain it," Mason McTavish said. "More shot attempts, more shots, more scoring chances, and I think that's the biggest key. That's how you win games. We want to generate as much as we can and sustain it as long as possible."

The Ducks seem committed to the system and identity they're attempting to establish. It has worked for teams in the past and works for others in the present like the Los Angeles Kings this season, but one may wonder if it's conducive to the roster in Anaheim.

The Ducks are on a three-game losing streak and will look to return to the win column Friday night when they'll host the Minnesota Wild.

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