What Did We Learn From Games 1 & 2 of Ducks Vs. Flames?

Let’s Start With The Obvious, The Ducks Are For Real.

First came the brutal beat down in game one. A six to one dominant win for the Ducks. Next came the push back from Calgary, only it was more of a nudge than a push. Calgary could not of looked any worse than they did in game one so their performance in game two would obviously be noted as a much better effort. Yes the Flames looked better but they did not “take it” to the Ducks in game two. The Flames continued to play a wide open game that allowed for a multitude of odd man rushes for the Ducks. The score could of been six to zero in game two if it had not of been for the play of Karri Ramo. The Flames established a forecheck and applied some pressure during the second period, but by no means did they out play the Ducks in game two. A three to zero shutout for the Ducks has given them a two games to none lead in the series as we shift to Calgary for game three.

So, what did we learn from the first two games of this series?

Hampus Lindholm Is The Ducks Best Defensemen

At 21 years old, Hampus Lindholm has already shown that he will one day be an elite defensemen in the NHL. Games one and two showcased Lindholm’s incredible all around versatility. He started off the series with two assists in game one and scored his first career playoff goal in game two with an absolute snipe.

Lindholm is an elite skater and he has made the so called speedy Flames look slow thus far. Lindholm and Beauchemin have become the Ducks top defensive pairing this season and often lead the Ducks in ice time. The first two games of this series were no different as Lindholm played over twenty minutes in each. Before this series started it was felt that Lindholm would be a key player for the Ducks. Not because he is so strong defensively, but he is smart enough to join the Ducks offensive rush when the timing is right. Game two showed how Lindholm has the brain of a veteran as he instinctively followed the rush, received a drop pass from Perry, and fired a sick wrist shot top corner to beat Ramo. He did not sit back to watch Getzlaf and Perry do their thing, he saw an opportunity to join the rush and he iced the game, securing a victory for the Ducks. Lindholm leads all Ducks defensemen with three points and a plus three rating to start this series. Through two games we have learned that Hampus Lindholm is a savvy veteran trapped in a 21 year old boy’s body.

Freddie Andersen May Have Been A Volunteer Firefighter In A Different Life

Freddie Andersen was good, really good. He dominated both games only allowing one goal which should of never even happened. Freddie looked calm, cool and collected. The numbers don’t lie either. Of all the goaltender’s still playing in round two, Freddie Andersen leads them all in save percentage (942%) and goals against average (1.64). Not Henrik Lundqvist, not Carey Price, not Ben Bishop, not Devan Dubnyk, but Freddie Andersen.

Anaheim Ducks /

Anaheim Ducks

Freddie had it pretty easy in game one but game two was a different story. The Ducks looked flat through much of the second period in game two. Calgary outshot the Ducks 12 to 9 in the second period to go along with two power plays. Freddie did not cave in. He won game two for the Ducks and earned his first career playoff shutout. Freddie “Firefighter” Andersen put out the Flames in games one and two giving Calgary nothing to build off of heading into game three.

Scorey Perry Mode Has Been Activated

The 2013 first round playoff series loss to Detroit was a low point for Corey Perry. Just two points in that seven game series lead to a lot of the blame resting on his shoulders. Fast forward to 2015 and Corey Perry has been the best player on any team so far during these playoffs.

Game one was all about Scorey as he became the first player since 2004 (Keith Primeau) to record multiple four-point games in a single postseason. Two goals and two assists marked another career night for Perry as he lead the Ducks to a 6-1 route of Calgary. His continued determination to produce is giving him an edge. Both of Perry’s goals in game one came right on the doorstep much like most of his round one goals. Shocking right? Perry has showed absolute fearlessness and it has allowed him to completely dominate. Like any MVP caliber player, Perry has always been able to turn on a switch and score in bunches. After the first two games of this series it is clear that Perry has turned that switch on permanently. The Flames better hire an electrician because it is clear they have no idea how to turn the Scorey switch off.

Johnny Gaudreau Is A Boy Playing Amongst Men

Johnny Gaudreau did not play a single second in the third period of game one. He was not injured. He was not benched for playing poorly. He was not benched for taking bad penalties. Flames coach Bob Hartley sat Gaudreau out of fear that he would get inured or “targeted”. I’m not sure what the real honest answer is as to why Gaudreau did not play in the third, but Nate Thompson might have had something to do with that decision. Thompson gave Gaudreau a little tap from behind and the 150 pound rookie went flying into the boards. It was a penalty, but Gaudreau couldn’t handle the physical nature of the Ducks and Hartley put Johnny hockey to bed early in game one.

Johnny Gaudreau might as well have sat out game two as well. Just one shot on goal in 18 minutes, Gaudreau showed no desire to make anything happen for the Flames and was almost invisible. In both games it was clear the Ducks were not going to give Gaudreau any time and space as Kesler and others were harassing him all night long. Gaudreau was pushed around and gave no fight back in either game. If there is one thing we learned from the first two games, it is that Corey Perry will take a hit in order to score a goal, while Johnny Gaudreau will not.

What Will Game Three Show Us?

Game three will be the most important game of this series. The Scotiabank Saddledome will be rocking and the Flames can swing momentum back in their direction with a win on home ice. The Ducks can quite frankly end this series tonight with a win which would give them a three games to none series lead. Ryan Getzlaf played his junior hockey for the Calgary Hitmen and had his jersey retired by the team earlier this year. It is a bit ironic because that retired jersey and picture of Getzlaf is now hanging from the rafters of the Scotiabank Saddledome, the site of game three. The Ducks may be the away team in Calgary, but Getzlaf will surely feel right at home.

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