Top 20 Moments of the 2017-18 Season (5-1)

We finish with Top Moments 5-1. |
Moments 10-6
|
Moments 15-11
|
Moments 20-16
|
5) "Uncle Rico" Joins the Ducks
During the early morning hours on the final day of November, the Ducks struck a deal with the New Jersey Devils that saw them acquire center Adam Henrique, prospect Joseph Blandisi and a 2018 third-round pick in exchange for defenseman Sami Vatanen and a conditional draft pick.

Henrique had spent his entire NHL career with the Devils, earning 257 points (122g/135a) over 455 games. Affectionately known as "Uncle Rico" by many, Henrique was a fan favorite in New Jersey for his on-ice success as well as his dedication to helping the community.
His transition to Anaheim was seamless, and his likeability made him an instant fan favorite. In his time with the Ducks, Henrique scored 20 goals and finished with 36 points and a +17 rating in 57 games. He ranked third in the NHL in game-winning goals (8) following his Ducks debut on December 1 through the remainder of the regular season. He led the Ducks in game-winning goals, ranked tied for second in goals and tied for third in power-play goals (4). His five-game point streak - six points (3g/3a) from December 1-9 - was the second-longest point streak to start a Ducks career, second only to Teemu Selanne's 15-game run during the 1995-96 campaign.

4) Henrique Delivers a Show-Stopper
Less than three weeks after the trade, Henrique found himself back in the Garden State - the third stop of Anaheim's six-game road trip. On an emotional evening with plenty of Henrique jerseys in the stands, he delivered one of the best goals of the season.
Words don't do it justice. Not only did he give himself an alley-oop pass over the player he was traded for, Henrique managed to fend off Vatanen and lift a backhander across his body in tight quarters. It was a magnificent goal on a memorable night for Henrique.

3) Rakell, Ducks Give Hawley a Day to Remember
It was Opening Night at Honda Center, the Ducks set to host the Arizona Coyotes to kick start the 2017-18 season on October 5. As per tradition, Ducks players walked the Orange Carpet through a sea of fans before entering the building for the game. Accompanying Rickard Rakell was then-17-year-old Katie Hawley - a cancer survivor and one of Rakell's biggest fans. Named the club's "21st Duck," Hawley was later introduced on the ice with the Ducks during a pregame ceremony in front of a raucous sellout crowd. More on Hawley's story
[here
.]

As Rakell and Corey Perry led her onto the ice, she told them both they needed to score goals in the game. Sure enough, Perry scored twice and Rakell broke a 4-4 tie with a thrilling goal late in regulation. At one point, the Ducks were trailing, 4-1. They ended up winning, 5-4. Hawley's reaction to Rakell's goal was captured on video. Priceless.

2) Ducks Clinch Postseason Berth
In a season marked by significant injuries, adversity and everything else in between, the Ducks roared to life in the second half of the season and clinched a long-awaited, emotionally lifting postseason berth with a victory over the Minnesota Wild at Honda Center on April 4. It marked the sixth consecutive postseason berth for the Ducks, equaling the second-longest streak in the NHL. Only the Pittsburgh Penguins have a longer streak with 12. (Minnesota also has six consecutive postseason appearances).

The Ducks went 11-11-6 after the first two months of the season, but turned it around by going 23-10-4 since their bye week in January. The win that night gave them an 8-1-1 mark over their last 10 and a 15-5-2 record in their last 22.
"This whole year has been a bit of struggle," Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf said after the game. "With the start we had, and the players we had out of the lineup, it was tough to see the big picture at that point. Our guys did a good job battling throughout the whole year. We accomplished one goal we wanted."
1) Teemu and Paul in the Hall
Two legends of the game. Two of the most iconic players in Ducks franchise history. Their names are Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya. On November 13 in Toronto, the Dynamic Duo, who provided edge-of-your-seat highlights on a nightly basis, were officially inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

It was a well-deserved honor for Selanne and Kariya, who remain close friends since the days of old when they torched opposing teams with their speed, creativity and undeniable chemistry, which transcended the game. Their Hall-of-Fame speeches proved things haven't really changed between the two when it comes to taking friendly jabs at one another, much like brothers would do. But while Selanne has remained in the spotlight since his playing days ended, the same can't be said for Kariya, who prefers to keep a low profile. As the first superstar of the franchise, Kariya has remained a fan favorite for more than two decades, but has rarely been seen inside the arena he called home for so many years. That changed on November 19 when the Ducks honored Selanne and Kariya on Hall of Fame Night at Honda Center.
Walking out to a stage at center ice, Kariya was met with a thunderous ovation from the fans - a salute to the player who helped put the franchise on the map. He was greeted by Selanne, and the two embraced in a hearty hug.

"I just want to say, tonight is a celebration, but really it's a thank you from Teemu and I to all of you for supporting us throughout our entire careers," Kariya said to the sold out crowd. "It's a thank you for all the fans for supporting this organization for over 20 years. The greatest fans in the world. Teemu and I are so lucky to live here now. This our home. You've embraced us from Day 1. We are so thankful for you."