Ducks' Boudreau calls out top players after shutout loss

It's going from bad to worse in Anaheim.

After losing 5-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes on Dec. 11, the Ducks had almost a full week to practice for their next game. It didn't help. The club was shut out 3-0 by the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, and remains in last place in the Western Conference.

Head coach Bruce Boudreau sounds like he's had about enough. He called out his big guns after another disappointing loss.

"We need our best players to be our best players on a consistent basis," Boudreau said. "That's not happening right now."

No Duck has 20 points this season. Corey Perry leads the team with 19 points (10 goals), while Ryan Getzlaf has 18 points, his only goal an empty-netter. Ryan Kesler's been a disaster, with only three goals and eight assists.

"It's frustrating," said defenseman Hampus Lindholm. "You feel like you have so many chances but nothing connects and nothing goes in the net."

The Ducks fired 44 shots the Sabres' way Thursday, but Chad Johnson stopped them all.

"We just have to keep working and playing simple," Lindholm added. "It's frustrating when nothing goes the way you want."