Only about five weeks remain in the 2013-14 NHL regular season, but the Anaheim Ducks have been flawlessly humming along with 91 points: good for tops in the NHL.
At this point, it would be nearly impossible for the Ducks to miss out on the playoffs, but with the trade deadline looming there is always room for improvement. Then again, is it possible for the Ducks to improve? Are there any problems with this team?
It certainly does not seem so. Anaheim is 43-14-5. TWELVE players have scored 20 or more points. It can do no wrong when it comes to goaltending as Jonas Hiller and Frederik Andersen have both been incredible. If there were any questions about Bruce Boudreau's coaching ability from his days in Washington, they are definitely gone.
However, this team is almost completely identical to the one that finished second in the Western Conference last season only to the seventh-seeded Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the playoffs. As strange as it may seem, it is definitely possible for this to happen again. It is hockey, after all.
The road to the Stanley Cup will not be easy for the Ducks. They may go into the playoffs as the favorite, but there is a good chance that they will not make it out.
As long as they hold on to their lead of the Pacific Division (a lead that is only seven points ahead of the undervalued San Jose Sharks), they will face a Wild Card team in the first round. While this team may not be one of the top favorites, the Los Angeles Kings taught us in 2012 how any playoff team can be a threat to win the Cup.
If the Ducks get past the first round, the road will not get any easier. The second round would likely pit them against the winner of a series between the Sharks and Kings: two teams that are definitely capable of taking down anyone, including the Ducks.
If Anaheim advances all the way to the Conference Final, it will likely face St. Louis, Chicago or Colorado. Again, very far from easy.
Overall, the Anaheim Ducks have no glaring weaknesses. The team is as close to flawless as any in the NHL today and there is not much that it could do at the deadline to vastly improve. Remember, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
The reason that the Ducks are far from a lock of anything, however, is simply the competition they will face as well as the unpredictability of the NHL Playoffs. They appear built for success, but a slight slip-up or slump could change things in the blink of an eye.