Gauthier, Zellweger lift Ducks’ offense to winning heights

Remember when the Anaheim Ducks had the worst offense in the NHL? Those days are over — for now.

On top of stout goaltending from Lukáš Dostál and John Gibson, the Ducks are riding a three-game winning streak, averaging 4.33 goals per game during the stretch. While just a small step in the right direction, Anaheim is suddenly right in the thick of Pacific Division contention.

It’s no secret that before the season began, the Ducks’ young guns would be expected to carry the load on both ends of the rink. But recently, the youth movement has truly taken full effect.

After spending immense time searching for his first career goal, rookie Cutter Gauthier notched his first two, finding one against the Red Wings and another against the Dallas Stars. It wasn’t as if Gauthier wasn’t creating offense before, as he leads the Ducks with 6.4 shots per game, but finally cashing in truly lifted a heavy weight off the 20-year-old’s shoulders.

For Gauthier, it was simply about accuracy. At Boston College, he proved to be a high-danger player with a knack for scoring inside, but when he started in Anaheim, he just needed to find the net. Gauthier leads the team in shots off-target with 48, which is all the evidence necessary to suggest this. Sitting in the bottom six, if Gauthier can use his first two lamp-lightings as motivation, he should compile a solid campaign and move up the lines.

Olen Zellweger has easily been the Ducks’ most exciting blueliner this season and his numbers only prove this. He’s doubled his goal total from last season to the current campaign despite suiting up in nine fewer games, netting four scores with four helpers. With top-unit power play duties, Zellweger knows how to turn defense into offense. While not the biggest shot-blocker, his silky strides allow him to run a strong transition game, allowing Anaheim’s offense to come alive lately.

Resiliency has defined the Ducks’ recent success. Greg Cronin’s team faced third-period deficits against Detroit and Chicago but stormed back late, something it had previously struggled with. A four-goal third period against the Red Wings showed a true fight from Anaheim’s bottom-six unit, including Gauthier’s first goal. Winger Brett Leason has also contributed to the group’s surge, playing at a point-per-game pace in November.

Playing without Mason McTavish in the lineup has not been easy for Anaheim. The centerman headed to the injury reserve with an upper-body wound on Sunday, but hasn’t played since November 8. His injury is disappointing considering his role this season as a solid top-six facilitator. Considering Leo Carlsson’s surge this season, the Ducks could very well have a dangerous one-two punch if the two can further click with their lines and stay off IR.

Carlsson has appeared to be one of the league’s most clutch players and has been instrumental in Anaheim’s recent wins. Four of Carlsson’s six goals have been game-winners and his offensive upside has made the Ducks’ top line relevant again.

Carlsson’s line with wingers Trevor Zegras and Alex Killorn feasted against the Blackhawks, as Carlsson and Zegras scored in the third period to put the game away. While encouraging, the line has raised questions about Zegras’ role with the team. Advertised as a center, having Zegras on the wing isn’t natural. But then again, if the move works, his versatility won’t hurt should the Ducks decide to move him via trade.

While the top line should be somewhat malleable for a team attempting to leave the gutter, it would be wise for Cronin to put a player like Gauthier with Carlsson to generate chemistry and even more shot attempts. Carlsson is clearly helping his teammates thrive — even helping once-struggling Killorn currently ride a four-game point streak. Placing Zegras as the second-line center wouldn’t be a bad idea to give him quality reps, especially considering McTavish’s absence.

Dostál and Gibson continue to thrive in the crease. Gibson is undefeated in three appearances since returning to action and Dostál is still the best goaltender in the league by saves above expected — by a significant margin — per MoneyPuck.

Anaheim called up forward Sam Colangelo in the wake of McTavish’s IR designation, giving the bottom six some gritty youth.

With loads of parity in the Western Conference, the Ducks’ chances of making some noise aren’t out of the question. But sustainability, amid injury woes, will be the main focus. If Anaheim can continue to protect its netminders — like in the past few games — by transitioning the puck off the back of Zellweger and continuing to produce goal support, the team may be able to create something special.