Ducks Silence Winnipeg By Taking A 3-0 Series Lead

Wow. Game 3 of the Anaheim Ducks versus Winnipeg Jets series has done what playoff hockey is supposed to do, leave you speechless. The Ducks made history Monday night in Winnipeg by becoming the first team to ever win 3 consecutive playoff games when trailing after 2 periods of play. On a night that was supposed to be about the return of playoff hockey to Winnipeg, the Ducks stole the show. Another comeback lead to a thrilling 5-4 overtime win for the Ducks giving them a commanding 3 games to none lead in the series. Wow.

The Ducks seemed to be out played for most of the game. They didn’t come out of the gates with the same tenacity and physical nature that the Jets showed early and often. The Jets out hit the Ducks 61 to 44 and it was clear who the better team for about 55 minutes was. The Jets struck first but the Ducks would answer late in the first period as Cam Fowler sniped one past Pavelec.

Scorey Perry added another gritty goal to his resume by tapping in a rebound as he was given a cheap shot by Dustin Byfuglien just as he was going to celebrate (I will discuss Byfuglien more later in this recap, trust me). The Jets stormed back and took the lead after Tyler Myers and Blake Wheeler scored less than five minutes apart. Silfverberg would score for the Ducks to tie the game but of course the Jets answered the call and took a lead heading to the third period for the third game in a row.

Dustin Byfuglien Deserves To Be Suspended

Dustin Byfuglien continued his classless play Monday night with another questionable and vicious cheap shot. Just after Corey Perry had scored, Byfuglien delivered a jab to the back of Corey Perry’s head as Perry was skating away to celebrate his goal. Here is the link to a video of the hit. Warning, its about as classless as it gets. The NHL has made a recent emphasis on plays that involve head contact. Byfuglien, for no good reason at all, skates toward Perry and delivers a blow to the back of his head. A clear headshot. Not only did he punch Perry in the head, he caused Perry to go falling forward nearly slamming his head on the ice as result of the sucker punch. If the NHL is going to stay consistent with an attempt to limit shots to the head, it needs to start with suspending Byfuglien.

Byfuglien was suspended for four games at the end of the regular season for a vicious cross check to the neck of New York Rangers J.T Miller. Here is a link to a video of that hit. Warning, it may contain even less class and show more stupidity than the hit on Perry. The NHL has also made it clear that repeat offenders of plays like this will be punished. So how can the NHL let this reckless play go un punished? The answer is they shouldn’t. Byfuglien should be punished. Not for two minutes, not for 5 minutes.

DUSTIN BYFUGLIEN SHOULD BE SUSPENDED FOR GAME 4 OF THIS SERIES. The Ducks didn’t retaliate later in the game because they showed a bit of something that Dustin Byfuglien continues to lack, restraint and class.

Bruce Boudreau Has His Decision Pay Off

The best play of game 3 came before the puck dropped to start the game. It was the call that Bruce Boudreau made to put Jakob Silfverbeg on the second line along side Ryan Kesler. Boudreau is not afraid to make a lineup change and swapping Silfverberg with Kyle Palmieri was something he gambled on. It payed off big time as Silfverberg and Kesler combined for 5 points in game 3. I will give credit when it is due, good move Bruce.

Freddie Finds A Way

Freddie Andersen was put in a tough position at times in game 3. Cam Fowler made some very ill advised decisions that lead to Jets goals, but Freddie did not get frazzled. Like any good playoff goaltender would do, Freddie stayed calm and kept making saves. Freddie made a few monster saves at the end of the game and in overtime, looking calm, cool and collected. Tonight Freddie Andersen showed why he can be a great playoff goaltender. He didn’t get flustered, he stayed focused to keep the Ducks in the game.

3 Stars Of The Game

1st Star- Jakob Silfverberg- After scoring the game winning goal with just over 20 seconds left in game 2, Jakob Silfverbeg kept the ball rolling. Scoring a goal and adding two assists, Silfverberg was the best Duck on Monday night. His great skating ability helped him keep the puck alive as he found Ryan Kesler cross crease for the game tying goal. Silfverbeg is on fire right now, something the Ducks certainly hoped they’d see when they acquired him in the Bobby Ryan trade.

2nd Star- Andrew Cogliano- On a night where the Ducks were out hit, the speed of Andrew Cogliano was key. A huge night for Cogs as he had assists on the game tying and game winning goal to go with his assist on the first Duck goal of the game. He was tenacious on the forecheck and was a gnat in the ear of the Jets defensemen down the stretch. If Cogs can keep producing like this for the Ducks, watch out.

3rd Star- Ryan Kesler- Ducks fans saw glimpses of Keslers clutch play throughout the regular season and had been waiting for him to display the same during this first round series. With a great assist on Silfverbegs goal, Kesler would of course be the man to tie the game up late. The nasty side of Kesler was on display tonight as well which is another reason Bob Murray and the Ducks felt he was the missing piece to the team. Kesler was once again great in the face off circle and another all around solid performance from Kesler on Wednesday night could send the Ducks to the second round.

Looking Ahead To Game 4

Wednesday night in Winnipeg will be an absolute blood bath. The Ducks will look to sweep the Jets who will be fighting to keep their season alive. The biggest question mark for the Jets will involve Dustin Byfuglien and whether or not he will be suspended (HE SHOULD BE SUSPENDED). The Jets will surely have the roar of the crowd motivating them, but have the Ducks killed their confidence? We will see Wednesday night!