Ducks trying to turn things around

A poor start to a season can lead to plenty of ugliness.

Ugly numbers. Ugly faces. Ugly attitudes.

That pretty much sums up the early chapters of the 2015-16 season for the Anaheim Ducks, a team with Stanley Cup aspirations that is 1-5-2 after falling 1-0 in overtime to the Blackhawks on Monday night at the United Center.

After the Ducks' morning skate, coach Bruce Boudreau told reporters that he wants his players to approach the game like they did 15 or 20 years ago.

“I look at my kids, when they're 6 years old and have to get up at 5 in the morning to practice, after about 10 seconds they can't wait to get to the rink because they love that,” Boudreau said. “That's what we're looking for is to get that passion back into the game.

“I think … we lost it a little bit. Now we're trying our (butt off) to get it back.”

The Ducks, who were 1 win away from the Stanley Cup Final last season but dropped Games 6 and 7 to the Hawks in the Western Conference finals, are in last place in the Pacific Division. Only Columbus has fewer points than Anaheim's 3.

If Anaheim doesn't turn it around soon, the rest of this campaign will turn into a horror novel with Boudreau possibly being fired sooner rather than later.

He addressed his team before Monday's game and told them they should remember how lucky they are to be doing something they love for a living.

“We're so lucky and so blessed to do this job that we've loved, rather than doing things that are forced upon you,” Boudreau said. “And we have to play with that. We have to play with that enthusiasm. So hopefully that wears off.”