Flying in Hot: Ducks vs. Flames Round 2 Preview

Apr 20, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Anaheim Ducks right wing

(33) celebrates his goal with teammates during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets in game three of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

Players/Storylines to Watch:

The Ducks had contributions throughout their line-up during their opening round sweep of the Jets. In fact only five Ducks that appeared in the series went pointless. That kind of production is what wins you playoff games and series. The Ducks are buoyed by the big names like Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Ryan Kesler and will need them to continue producing. But if players like Jacob Silfverberg, Andrew Cogliano, and Sami Vatanen can continue their torrid play the Ducks will be hard to stop. The Ducks young D-core also took major steps forward. Cam Fowler, Simon Despres, Hampus Lindholm and Sami Vatanen looked playoff ready and made some big plays en route to the Ducks series win. They will have to continue that and not allow the bright lights and heightened tension get to them. The issue of being “top heavy” that had plagued the Ducks in the past is no longer a problem and if they get the play top to bottom that they got in Round 1 the Ducks will be in the flying into the Conference Finals

The Flames are anchored by their young skilled line of Jiri Hudler, Sean Monahan, and Johnny Gaudreau. The line combined for 17 points in the 6 games it took for the Flames to finish the Canucks and the Ducks will need to contain them. They are skilled and fast something the Ducks have struggled with this year. The Flames like the Ducks have also got point production from secondary sources. David Jones, Matt Stajan, and Dennis Wideman were close to point per game players against the Canucks and it will be interesting to see if they can keep that up. Wideman is of special note as the Flames lost the services of Mark Giordano to injury and Wideman has stepped up. Giordano could return to Flames but they remain tight-lipped on the subject. If he returns it will only boost the Flames but make no mistake the Flames have been on fire without him and know how to win without him.

Both the Ducks and Flames also have a flair for the dramatic. During the regular season the Ducks won 12 times when entering the 3^rd period trailing and the Flames accomplished the same feat 10 times. In the post-season the Ducks won their first three games vs. Winnipeg after finding themselves behind headed into the final frame. The Flames won Game 1 by coming from behind in the third period and won the clinching game after falling behind 3-0 in the first period. Both of these teams truly believe they can come back no matter the deficit and every game in this series will most likely come down to the wire.

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