Ducks’ shot at the Pacific takes a hit with Corey Perry out 5 months

Anaheim Ducks forward Corey Perry is scheduled to miss five months after having knee surgery, which is bad news bears with Erik Karlsson now roaming the division.

Just a few weeks back, the question came up as to who would be the X-factor in the Anaheim Ducks reaching the postseason.

The answers varied from goaltender John Gibson to the power play to the status of Ryan Kesler — who’s getting closer to playing after rumors came about that he might sit the entire campaign, though he hasn’t even been cleared for contact with about a week to go before puck drop.

And while the debate could go on for another seven days as to what has to happen for Anaheim to be successful, the one tie-in is that the offense has to improve, as they were ranked 19th in goals for during the 2017-18 season.

Well, good luck now, as it turns out that winger Corey Perry and his usual 50 to 60 points will be sidelined through probably the end of next February. He had surgery earlier in the week to repair ligaments in his knee.

Even with the extension of Adam Henrique, this is a massive club to the face of team that did little improving on either side of the ice. And that’s after being swept by the San Jose Sharks in Round 1. They also scored only four goals in those four games.

And Perry was there for that, so imagine not having him now.

Speaking of San Jose, they just traded for all-galaxy defenseman Erik Karlsson, so, well, that’s some trouble looming. The hill for the Ducks suddenly has gone from a steep incline to scaling Mount Lhotse.

That’s not to say of course that Anaheim can’t and absolutely won’t compete for the Pacific Division title. The Ducks certainly have a way of surprising us every season. They’ll simply have to find new ways to win every night, or not give up any goals ever again.

Probably can’t take penalties either. As in, zero penalties at all throughout the year.