Determined Duck Beat Blackhawks to take 2-1 Lead

After suffering a triple overtime defeat in Game 2 Head Coach Bruce Boudreau said the Anaheim Ducks were angry not upset. Anger can be channeled into desire and determination. The Ducks had both those things in taking Game 3 against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Ducks won 2-1, took a 2-1 series lead, and reclaimed home ice advantage.

The first period was a period that saw numerous chances at both ends and numerous power-play opportunities. (5 to be exact however 4 went to the Blackhawks, make of that what you will). The Ducks killed all of the Blackhawks power-plays well capitalizing on their own. Hampus Lindholm let a wrister go from the point that was deflected past Corey Crawford who was screened by Corey Perry. That would put the Ducks up 1-0 until a broken play inside the Ducks blue line led to a Patrick Kane spin around backhander and the horn sounded with the score tied at 1.

For any Ducks fan the second period has become absolute torture. The Ducks seem to get away from what they do in the first and third for some unknown reason causing fans to lose their minds. However they flipped the script tonight. The Ducks played a phenomenal second period that saw them attack the Blackhawks in waves and keep a sustained fore-check. They had chances galore and it seemed like only a matter of time before they’d break through. That break came in the form of Simon Despres. With just under a minute to go in the frame Ryan Getzlaf received a pass at the point. He walked to the middle, slid down towards the top of the circles and made a defender bite before sliding a slick pass to Despres on the right half-wall. Despres one timed the great pass past Crawford to put the Ducks up 2-1 and silencing United Center.

Live Feed

Pucks and Pitchforks

The third period saw the Ducks commit more to defense. While they normally push the envelope and go on the attack they seemed more committed to limiting the Blackhawks. Though I personally am not a fan of the “sit back and defend” game plan, it got the job done. The Ducks clogged up the neutral zone and when the Blackhawks did get into the zone they forced them outside and got in shooting lanes. Frederik Andersen made incredible save after incredible save in the third period and all game giving the Ducks added confidence and led them a sound 2-1 win.

Andersen Shines Again:

Frederik Andersen has been nothing short of incredible so far in these playoffs. I feel like every time I wrote a recap I include something about Andersen but how can you not. With his win last night he is now 10-0-2 in the playoffs thus far and his stats continue to be spectacular. 1.75 GAA and a .935 SV% is incredible and proof that Andersen is absolutely locked in. But it’s just not the numbers that impress you with Andersen; it’s his play and the saves he makes. Andersen this year and last post-season is night and day. Last year he looked nervous constantly jittery and not looking real confident is his net, especially away from Honda Center.

This year Andersen has been a rock at Honda Center and away from it. United Center was no exception. Andersen looked calm, cool, and collected flashing some glorious glove saves, battling shooters the whole way and controlling the game by covering pucks and not allowing rebounds. He stopped 26-27 tonight and continued to exude confidence from the crease all the way out to the rest to the Ducks. Andersen and the Ducks are six wins from hoisting the Stanley Cup and if he continues to play like this that dream could become reality.

More from Pucks of a Feather

• Who could the Anaheim Ducks consider presenting offer sheets to?
• Is Pierre-Luc Dubois on the cards for the rebuilding Anaheim Ducks?
• Making the case for the Anaheim Ducks to trade with the Edmonton Oilers
• Anaheim Ducks might benefit tremendously by trading John Gibson
• How close are the Anaheim Ducks to becoming contenders again?

Fowler and Despres:

I feel haven’t had enough written about the play of these two this post-season. Which with the exception of a couple bad turnovers, has been exceptional and seem to get better and better with each game. Cam Fowler has always been one of my favorite players and I believed he could turn into an All-Star level defensemen. With Simon Despres as his partner now and going forward we could be watching him take those steps this post-season. GM Bob Murray robbed the Pittsburgh Penguins this Trade Deadline and getting Despres for Ben Lovejoy. Lovejoy was a decent defenseman but was aging and not the best puck moving defensemen. Despres is young, is mobile with great vision, can shoot the puck and is not afraid to crunch people.

While Fowler isn’t as physical he possess the other attributes that Despres does and the two of them together has been an amazing tandem on the backend for the Ducks. They both never give up on pucks, battle right to the end and made some excellent plays to stop Blackhawks offensive opportunities and clear pucks while on the penalty kill. They were rewarded for their hard work with the game winning goal tonight. Fowler hit Getzlaf with a pass and Getzlaf found Despres all alone on the right wing half wall for the one time blast. It was Despres’ first playoff goal and first game winning goal. This pair is a top flight, young pair that will be pivotal in the leading the Ducks to the Cup.

Penalty Kill:

Some questionable calls in this game went against the Ducks. The first period high stick by Silfverberg seemed to catch Towes up by the forehead and yet he was bleeding from the mouth? And the third period high stick by Getzlaf on Andrew Shaw was ridiculous  – replay showed that Getzlaf’s stick never touched Shaw’s face. However this is just more adversity the Ducks had to battle through and they did so with flying colors. The Ducks went five for five on the PK including the double minor to Silfverberg in the first period. They kept the Blackhawks to the outside, got into shooting lanes, won 1 on 1 battles, and made sure they cleared the puck on the opportunities they had. That’s what you have to do especially in the playoffs. Big penalty kills can be momentum swings for your team and the Ducks used that effectively tonight. A big reason for that is face of wins by Getzlaf, Kesler, and Nate Thompson as well as blocked shots, two of the many areas the Ducks have excelled this year and must continue to do so.

Game 4:

It was key for the Ducks to take Game 3. After dropping Game 2 in that fashion the Ducks needed to stymie any momentum the Blackhawks may have gained and reclaim home ice advantage. They did both of those things and handed the Blackhawks their first loss on home ice. Each game is more important and the Ducks need to know the Blackhawks will try and bounce back. They need to take them down again and go up 3-1 with a chance to close it out in Game 5 on home ice.