Bruce Boudreau gets philosophical as Ducks look to break slump in Chicago

Bruce Boudreau is waxing poetic with his Anaheim Ducks in advance of a pivotal game against the defending Stanley Cup champions.

In Chicago to take on the team that eliminated Anaheim in the Western Conference finals last spring, Boudreau's Ducks are mired in an early-season slump, with one win and six goals through seven games.

Related: Ducks' Fowler blames players for team's early-season struggles

Instead of reading his players the riot act, he's reminding them of what a privilege it is to play the game of hockey for a living.

"Every day's a new day," Boudreau said Monday, according to Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times. "The sun's still coming up even if it is in Chicago in October/early November. You look for the positives in everything, and you're not sitting around being gloomy.

"Today, I talked to them about how great it is to be a hockey player. We're so lucky, so blessed to do this job that we love, rather than doing things that are forced upon you. And we have to play with that. We have to play with that enthusiasm."

Boudreau's Ducks are shooting at a success rate of 2.55 percent at even strength this season, with superstar forwards Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry sitting on one assist apiece.

Anaheim has also been shut out four times this season, matching their total from last season.