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The first round match up between the Anaheim Ducks and the Dallas Stars may be a No. 1 seed versus a No. 8 seed, but it’s a star-studded affair, don’t mind the pun.
But in all seriousness, this is the match up that could decide the fate of either team. Simply put, the Ducks-Stars key playoff matchup is “twins” versus “twins.”
We’ve seen Ryan Getzlaf have an MVP-type season this year and we’ve seen Corey Perry put up a season much like his Hart Trophy year. Both have been an absolute force for the Ducks. Getzlaf has had arguably his best season ever tallying 31 goals and 56 points for 87 points in 77 games played, good for 2nd in the league in points and 5th in assists.
Perry, meanwhile, has put up impressive numbers himself, 43 goals and 39 assists for 82 points in 81 games played, good for 5th in the league in points and 2nd in the league in goals.
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The Stars on the other side have a pair of “twins” that have launched them into the playoffs. Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin have been just as dominant for the Stars that Getzaf and Perry have been for us.
All four players are in the top 10 in the league in scoring and both pairs of players are top 2 on their teams in scoring by large margins. Benn has had the best season of his career, posting 34 goals and 45 assists for 79 points in 79 points in 81 games played, good for 9th in the league in goals, 13th in the league in assists and 10th in the league in points.
Seguin continued to improve his play in his first season in Dallas posting 37 goals and 47 assists for 84 points in 80 games played, good for 5th in the league in goals, 11th in the league in assists and 4th in the league in points.
Seguin is a guy who Boston thought was expendable, but is definitely proving his worth this year. He is supremely skill and can absolutely fly. He’s as good as anyone in the league when he’s in a one-on-one situation. Benn is one of the most underrated players in the league, in my opinion. He may not be Getzlaf-big, but at 6’2″-205, he’s a big body that can be hard to contain and can throw it around.
But, don’t underestimate his skill because he can create some highlight reel plays if you do. It’s no doubt that the Stars will need Benn and Seguin to put up points in order to have a quack at this thing……..I’ll see myself out.
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