Which Team Is The Biggest Threat To The Anaheim Ducks Out West?
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 biggest trade of the offseason occurred when the Vancouver Canucks traded Ryan Kesler to the Anaheim Ducks. After 10 seasons as a Canuck, it is only fitting that Kesler may face his former team in the second round.
The Ducks also went 3-1-1 in 5 games against the Canucks this season. The Sedin twins had another solid season and the additions of Radim Vrbata and Nick Bonino (Bonino was acquired from Anaheim in the Kesler trade) proved to be vital in getting the Canucks back into the playoffs. Vancouver has some grit to their game as tough guy Kevin Bieksa did not shy away from throwing some right hooks with the Ducks fighters this season.
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′.
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