In another up-and-down season, Corey Perry reminded everyone why he can be one of the better offensive forwards in hockey.
We'll start with the positives: For a second straight season, the 13-year veteran cracked 30-plus assists. He's just the fourth skater in franchise history to record six seasons with 30 assists, joining Ryan Getzlaf, Teemu Selanne, and Paul Kariya.
If you're an advanced stats fan, Perry posted above-average high-danger scoring chances individually, and helped the team post a plus-50% high-danger scoring chance percentage while on the ice. His shots also continue to produce rebound chances, and his shooting percentage increased from the 2016-17 campaign.
The goals didn't follow.
For a second straight season, Perry failed to crack the 20-goal plateau. His 17 still ranked him among the top goal scorers on the team, but represented a slight dip from the prior season. He did miss 11 games with a lower-body injury, which can explain the lower totals, but it's still a surprise to see one of the team's dangerous players fail to fill the net.
The two dynamics create an interesting question for the Ducks - Is Perry the dangerous scoring threat we've come to know and appreciate, or has he shifted his game to an all-around threat?
Despite losing some 5v5 and power-play time last season, Perry still produced high danger scoring chances. Even in the team's First Round loss to San Jose, he put himself in position to score. The uptick in shooting percentage, while small, shows hope he can increase his production in the coming season.
HIGHLIGHT
As the Ducks continued their late-season push to the playoffs, a game against those pesky Detroit Red Wings loomed large at Honda Center. Already out of the playoff picture, the one-time rivals of the Ducks looked to play spoiler. The game took on the old-school feel of those earlier matchups, bringing out the best of Perry.
After falling behind 2-1, Perry and Getzlaf teamed up for the game-tying tally.
