Ducks’ new shut-up-and-play attitude works

ANAHEIM >> The Ducks went into Tuesday’s game against the Washington Capitals bucking a trend. They have departed from their usual method of operation over the years, taking fewer penalties than their opponents to start the season and giving their special teams a better chance at success.

No question, a determined effort to improve the Ducks’ power play and penalty kill has paid dividends. The power play was fourth-ranked in the NHL at 28.3% (15 for 53) going into Tuesday’s games around the league. The penalty kill was ranked sixth (38 of 44, 86.4%).

But watching the opposition trudge to the penalty box more often has paid off for the Ducks, too. Last season continued a decades-long trend in which the Ducks skated in shorthanded situations more often than they had man-advantage opportunities. It was 164 to 123 in 2020-21.

Anecdotally, the Ducks also appear to have abandoned their longtime practice of barking at the referees about every call that goes against them. They had a well-earned reputation over the years as one of the more disagreeable teams in the NHL, which didn’t do them any favors with referees.

“I’ve got lots of friends around the league, not just on teams but within the league, and it was brought to my attention very quickly as a friendly heads-up that the team you’re going to go coach now has a bit of reputation for it,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said of the advice he received before he got the job.

“We’ve gotten to a point where we know it’s certainly not going to help,” he added.

McTavish adjusts

As much as the Ducks would have liked to have played rookie Mason McTavish at his more natural position of center, they simply haven’t found a way to get it done. McTavish, the third pick in July’s NHL draft, has worked his way into the lineup to start the season, but he’s done it as a left wing.

Ryan Getzlaf, Trevor Zegras,

Isac Lundestrom and either Derek Grant, Bo Groulx or Sam Steel have manned the four center positions.

“I think ‘McT’ has done a hell of a job moving over to the wing,” Eakins said. “He’s done really well understanding how to get off the wall. His board play is getting better.

“I don’t think playing out of position is an easy thing, but he’s managed it well.”

McTavish, 18, has two goals and one assist in seven games to start his career.

Comtois update

The Ducks placed left wing Max Comtois on injured reserve because of a nagging upper-body injury. He sat out Tuesday for the second consecutive game.