Jan 11, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks mascot Wild Wing celebrates after the game against the Winnipeg Jets at Honda Center. The Anaheim Ducks won 5-4 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
After a long and grueling 82 games, the Ducks are back in the playoffs. For the second year in a row the Ducks finished first in the western conference and as a result they will play the Winnipeg Jets in the first round. Much like the Ducks, Winnipeg was active before and at the trade deadline this season bolstering their roster. After acquiring Tyler Myers and Drew Stafford from the Buffalo Sabres in February, Winnipeg went 15-8-3 down the stretch to earn a playoff spot.
Much has been said about this first round matchup. Many people in the hockey community feel that Winnipeg is a big threat to Anaheim and could upset the Ducks in round 1. The Ducks won all three match ups against Winnipeg this season but those victories came pre-trade deadline. Winnipeg could certainly give the Ducks trouble. However, if the Ducks can get past the Jets they certainly have to like their chances to get to the western conference finals.
With the Los Angeles Kings failing to make the playoffs, the Ducks know that now is their opportunity to make a run for the cup. If the Ducks can get past Winnipeg, a matchup with either Calgary or Vancouver would await them in round 2. So, with the cross town rival Kings,who knocked the Ducks out of the playoffs last year, already on summer vacation who are the biggest threats to the Ducks in the western conference?
Next: The Calgary Flames
Apr 15, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; The Calgary Flames celebrate the win against the Vancouver Canucks after the third period in game one of the first round of the the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Arena. The Calgary Flames won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Possible Round 2 Matchup: Calgary Flames
With the new NHL playoff format in effect, the Ducks know that beating Winnipeg in the opening round would mean playing either Calgary or Vancouver in the second round. So this means that if The Ducks and Flames are both victorious in round 1, the Calgary Flames are automatically a threat to the Ducks as the two teams would battle in the second round.
The Ducks had success against Calgary this season going 3-1-1 in the 5 meetings. The Flames gave the Ducks trouble in a couple of those games with their speed and ability to get offensive production from their talented defensemen. There is one thing that has hurt Calgary however. Norris trophy candidate Mark Giordano was having an un believable year until he went down with a season ending injury. The injury to Giordano was a setback but Calgary found a way to earn a playoff spot.
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Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau both appear to be on their way to having outstanding careers in the NHL but the duo has never played a minute of playoff hockey. However, speed kills and the young Calgary forwards have a ton of speed. It was apparent that in the Flames 6-3 victory over the Ducks that speed was certainly something that troubled the Duck defense. If the Flames can make their speed a focal point of their game plan, the Ducks could be in for a rough ride in a potential second round matchup.
Goaltending is a question mark for the Flames. Former Duck goalie Jonas Hiller started 44 games this season for the Flames and put up some decent numbers. Despite regular season success throughout his career Hiller has never proven himself as a good playoff goaltender. Last season Hiller started 50 games for the Ducks but coach Bruce Boudreau didn’t display any confidence in Hiller and it showed. Boudreau gave rookie Frederik Andersen the start in game 1 of round 1 against Dallas.
It could serve as motivation for Hiller if he gets to go against his former team, but with the loss of Giordano it is un likely that the Flames can give Hiller the support he needs to win a 7 game series. For the Ducks, peppering Hiller and getting everything to the net would be necessary to beat Calgary.
If the Ducks and Flames do meet in the second round, “threat” might not be word to use. Calgary is talented but also very young and un experienced, they might just serve as more of a road block in the Ducks pursuit to reach the western conference finals. It is the playoffs however, and you can’t count out any team.
Next: The Vancouver Canucks
Apr 15, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Bo Horvat (53) celebrates his goal against Calgary Flames goaltender Jonas Hiller (1) (not pictured) during the second period in game one of the first round of the the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Possible Round 2 Matchup: Vancouver Canucks
The new playoff format also means that if the Ducks and Canucks each win in round 1 then they will battle in round 2. Much like the Flames, the Canucks are automatically a road block in the Ducks journey to reach the western conference finals.
The Canucks have more playoff experience than the Flames and could pose as a larger threat to the Ducks. The Ducks have physicality and grit in their game, but that is also something that Vancouver does well and could match the Ducks intense rough play. Freddie Andersen did shutout the Canucks 4-0, but the other 4 games were all decided by 1 goal proving this could be a very evenly matched playoff series.
Like Calgary, goaltending for the Canucks is a question mark. Veteran Ryan Miller was given a number 1 goalie type of contract in the offseason but a knee injury has held him back. Miller has only started 1 game since February 23rd and is not the Canucks starting goalie for the opening round against Calgary. Instead it will be Eddie Lack in net to start the series. Lack had an impressive season and has played well lately. However, Lack has never started a playoff game so experience could come into question at some point.
Vancouver is a smart experienced team that could certainly be a second round threat to the Ducks. The Canucks are not the Kings however, so the Ducks know if they can play their game and be just as physical with the Canucks as they would the Kings, they may just avoid an early playoff exit and get back to the western conference finals for the first time since their stanley cup season in 06′-07′.
Next: The St. Louis Blues
Apr 11, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues center Jori Lehtera (12) is congratulated by teammates Jaden Schwartz (17) and Vladimir Tarasenko (91) and Paul Stastny (26) and Alexander Steen (20) after scoring a goal during the third period against the Minnesota Wild at Scottrade Center. The Blues won the game 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports
Potential Western Conference Finals Matchup: St. Louis Blues
The Blues and the Ducks quest to be the top team in the western conference came down to the last day of the regular season. With each team earning 109 points the Ducks had the tie breaker giving them the top seed and home ice advantage through the firs three rounds. Clearly the St. Louis Blues are a huge threat to the Ducks if the teams meet in the western conference finals.
The Ducks took the season series against the Blues by winning 2 of the 3 match ups. The Blues have what could arguably be considered the best defensive group of any team in the playoffs. Kevin Shattenkirk is back from injury and is one of the best power play specialist in the league. Vladimir Tarasenko had a breakout season putting up a team leading 73 points. The Blues have much more talent up front and on the blue line than the Flames or Canucks.
The Blues are big, fast, deep and overall one of the best teams in the playoffs. They pose a huge threat to the Ducks as they truly lack a weakness. Their young players have gained some playoff experience over the past 3 seasons as well. Playing a team who can get contributions from all 4 lines is tough. Playing a team that generates offense from the back end is even tougher. The Ducks have played the Blues tough this season and a playoff series between the two would be a battle of two highly physical skilled teams.
Brian Elliot put up better numbers than Jake Allen during the regular season as Elliot also started 13 more games than Allen. Allen did however shutout the Ducks in late October stopping all 24 shots he faced. Jake Allen will be starting game 1 of round 1 for the Blues. Allen is another goaltender with no playoff experience leaving a slight question mark for a team that has no weakness aside from the man who we know will now be in net for St. Louis.
The potential western conference finals matchup with the Blues would be a major test for the Ducks. First the Blues must beat Minnesota, a tall task in itself, and a potential matchup with Chicago in round 2 could certainly be another battle. If the Blues can stay healthy and get strong outings from Jake Allen they could be the team to beat in the west, posing as a top threat to the Ducks.
Next: The Chicago Blackhawks
Apr 15, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (2) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against the Nashville Predators during game one of the first round of the the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. The Blackhawks won 4-3 in the second overtime. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Potential Western Conference Finals Matchup: Chicago Blackhawks
Every year it seems as though the Blackhawks are the team to beat in the west. They also seem to be everyones stanley cup pick year in and year out. With recent news that Patrick Kaneis back from injury and playing in round 1, the Hawks are again the team to beat.
The Hawks are the only team in the west who took the season series against the Ducks. After a John Gibson shutout in Chicago earlier in the season, the Hawks handed the Ducks a pair of 4-1 losses in the final two meetings. Like the Blues, the Hawks have size and speed that is hard to deal with. If the Blues do not have the best defensive group in the west then it is likely the Hawks who do. Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook are two do it all type of defensemen dominating at both ends.
Patrick Kane was having an MVP type of season before going down with a broken collarbone and has not played since February 24th. With Kane back, he and Jonathan Toews are a duo that is as lethal as Getzlaf and Perry. The Hawks also have incredible depth with guys like Patrick Sharp and Brandon Saad generating offense.
Like the Ducks, the Hawks have tremendous skill players that are complemented by outstanding physical forechecking depth forwards. Bryan Bickell and Andrew Shaw are two guys that throw their weight around and are always mixing things up. The Hawks certainly have the man power to match the Ducks intensive forecheck and physicality.
Corey Crawford has already proven himself as a stanley cup caliber goaltender and was going to be the man attempting to lead the Hawks to their third cup in six years. However, after a terrible first period in game 1 against Nashville, Crawford was pulled.
Scott Darling came in and stopped all 42 shots he faced as the Hawks over came a 3-0 deficit to win the game in double overtime 4-3. This means that for a team that seemed to have a secure goalie situation, they may now have a question mark. Whether Darling is now the man or Crawford gets back in net, the Chicago goaltenders give their team a chance to win every night.
Beating Nashville could be challenging and a potential second round matchup with the Blues will be a bruising bash for Chicago. But if the Hawks and Ducks do meet in the western conference finals it will certainly be a series full of excitement. There is no doubt that the Hawks are the biggest threat to the Ducks with their size, speed and skill but as the saying goes, to be the best you have to beat the best.
