Anaheim Ducks Late Push Falls Short In Game 6, Game 7 Awaits
The Anaheim Ducks tried to change their style of play to begin game 6 and it did not work whatsoever. They played slow and safe as though they were un willing to take any chances in fear of making a mistake and Bruce Boudreau’s team will now play in another huge game 7 at home. The Hawks took advantage of the Ducks timid start and surmounted a 3-0 lead in the second period as the Ducks could not do anything right. The Ducks looked nervous, almost appearing to be the team that was on the brink of elimination when in reality they had a chance to end the Hawks season with a win.
As we have seen so many times with this Ducks team it was too little too late. Patrick Maroon got the Ducks on the board and Clayton Stoner cut Chicago’s lead to just one shortly after. The Ducks had finally started to play their game and created a number of great goal scoring opportunities in the third period. Their heavy push late in the game fell short however as Andrew Shaw scored the final two goals to give the Hawks a 5-2 victory.
Anaheim Ducks
It was not the Ducks over aggressive play late that lost them the game, it was their scared demeanor early on that forced them to play out of control late in the third that in turn allowed Chicago to counter and force a game 7. Saturday night will be an incredibly important game for every member of the Ducks, most notably their coach Bruce Boudreau.
You can blame the refs or you can blame the brilliant soccer antics of sir flops a-lot (Corey Crawford), but ultimately it was the Ducks who beat themselves in game 6. They seemed frazzled and it was evidently clear that Chicago wanted a win more than Anaheim did.
Boudreau and His History With Game 7’s In Anaheim
In 2013 the Ducks lost game 7 of the opening round at home to the Detroit Red Wings and that loss was followed up by another game 7 loss at home to the Los Angeles Kings in the second round of last year’s playoffs. This year it is a 3rd round conference finals game 7 that awaits the Ducks. Bruce Boudreau’s job is without a doubt on the line. Another game 7 loss at home would be devastating to Anaheim and Boudreau needs to be ready for what will be the biggest game of his coaching career.
Change
The Ducks do not need to go back to the drawing board. They do not need to switch up their lines or implement a new game plan, they simply need to re focus and get back to their roots. Anaheim needs to look at the tape from games 1 and 3 and continue their insanely dominant forecheck to beat down Chicago in game 7. The game 6 loss does not call for change, it shows quite the opposite as Anaheim clearly needs to play the same type of game that they have played all year and if they do, they’ll most likely be happy with the final score.
Game 7
Game 7 is set for Saturday night at Honda Center. It will be the first game 7 of Freddie Andersen’s career and the 25 year old will be heavily tested like never before. A trip to the stanley cup finals is on the line and the experience of Chicago will be up against the heart and determination of the Ducks. A game 7 in the stanley cup playoffs is the biggest test in all of sports, Saturday will be an absolute battle.
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