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Blamed by Boudreau: Ducks’ best players take some heat

Flames Ducks Hockey

Anaheim Ducks’ head coach Bruce Boudreau congratulates Anaheim Ducks’ center Ryan Getzlaf (15) after their 3-2 overtime win against Calgary in Game 5 of a second-round series in the NHL hockey playoffs in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, May 10, 2015. Anaheim eliminated Calgary and will face the Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference finals. (Michael Goulding/The Orange County Register via AP) LA TIMES OUT MAGS. MANDATORY CREDIT

AP

With a pathetic 55 goals for in 30 games, the Anaheim Ducks are easily the lowest-scoring team in the NHL.

It’s staggering to consider that this could happen, even if Ryan Getzlaf did go under the knife early in the 2015-16 season. And even if the bounces have been especially cruel to the Ducks.

Some might call it throwing them under the bus; others may lean more toward “sending a message” (or even just honesty amid frustration). Either way, Bruce Boudreau acknowledged Anaheim’s scoring troubles after a troubling 3-0 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.

Getzlaf is aware of the criticism ... and it’s definitely out there.

One can understand Boudreau’s frustration, yet sometimes those speak-your-mind moments precede a coaching change.

(Heck, Boudreau merely needs to look at Paul MacLean and his mustache to see how a frank moment can leave you shake, shaking it off into the sunset.)

At the same time, one cannot help but wonder: what can Boudreau do, and would a coaching change really help? It sure feels like something has to give soon ...