A long layoff isn’t always the right prescription for a struggling team to find its game, but the Ducks found the right energy, emotion and offense.

Injected with an early scrum and Ryan Getzlaf’s second goal this season, the Ducks got a 4-2 win Sunday against Philadelphia in their first game since the NHL’s mandated three-day Christmas break.

Here’s what we learned:

Emotion is a good thing for them


So many times this season the Ducks have come out flat and couldn’t match the opponent’s jump. That wasn’t a problem because defenseman Clayton Stoner prompted a fight with Brandon Manning after Stoner’s big hit on Scott Laughton, and a big scrum ensued a few minutes later to ignite the start.

“It’s definitely the way we have to play -- with a little bit of emotion,” Corey Perry said. “When we don’t, we’re flat. We have to play that upbeat style and in-your-face style of game.”

A defenseman could be recalled

Cam Fowler left the game in the first period with a lower-body injury and it is not known if it is a long-term issue. Korbinian Holzer is their spare defenseman but Anaheim could make a recall for depth purposes.


The offensive-minded Shea Theodore would be the logical choice given that he has been recalled twice this season, but Theodore has yet to make his NHL debut.

Chris Stewart is available, but not called upon

Not many teams scratch their third-leading scorer for two straight games, but Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau has made that tough decision.

Stewart, who has six goals, is healthy, a team official said. But for now the Ducks have gone with Patrick Maroon on a line with Nate Thompson and Andrew Cogliano, while the fourth line is Jiri Sekac, Shawn Horcoff and Mike Santorelli.