from Eric Stephens of the OC Register,

To his Ducks teammates, Perry is referred to as “Worm” because of how he long has been able to slither his lanky, 6-foot-3 frame in and out of physical defenders for the coveted space around the net and create scoring chances. And often finish them.

To opponents and their fans, the winger has been called much worse, a good amount that cannot be printed and might make those not used to foul or unseemly language blush. It comes with the territory when he’s fighting for his on the ice, sometimes in sneaky – and, some would say, dirty – ways.

Another thing you could call Perry is Mr. Automatic. Forget about penciling him in for 30 goals each season. Go ahead and use ink. Address another area on the team.

But when the best-of-7 Western Conference first-round series begins Thursday night against Calgary, Perry finds himself looking at the postseason as one to find redemption. Redemption for past series that went unfulfilled and a 2016-17 regular season that never lived up to expectations.

Nineteen goals over 82 games. The fewest over a full 82-game season since getting 17 as a rookie, where he played in just 44 games with the Ducks. Players talk about the Stanley Cup playoffs as a new season and for Perry, that sentiment may not be any truer.

“This is where people make their names,” said Perry, who has hit the 30-goal mark six times and has 349 in all. “It’s a new season. Everybody starts fresh. There’s only 16 teams left and you want to be one of those 16 to start it off.”

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