Getzlaf and Perry Dominate In Ducks Game 1 Win

Domination is simply the only the word to describe game one. The Ducks dominated from start to finish. After sweeping the Jets in the opening round the Ducks had seven days off to rest and recover. Those seven days off did not create any rust at all as the Ducks went out and crushed the Flames in game one. The final score was six to one and did not even feel that close. By the fifth and sixth Ducks goals there was no celebration. Ryan Getzlaf tapped in the sixth goal and simply gave a few fist bumps and skated back to the bench. It was a blowout.

Anaheim Ducks

352 appearances and 190 wins. That was the stat line for Jonas Hiller during his seven seasons as the Ducks goaltender. When the decision was made by Ducks GM Bob Murray to not sign the free agent Hiller after last season, Jonas found a new home in Calgary. Hiller got a chance to start game one for the Flames against his former team but it did not go so well as he allowed two goals in the first and another to start the second. After three goals, Flames coach Bob Hartley had seen enough. Hiller’s night was over after just 22 minutes of action. Bob Murray had the last laugh Thursday night as he was likely patting himself on the back when Hiller was replaced by Karri Ramo.

Ramo did not help the Flames much either. Another goal in the second and two more in the third made it clear that the Ducks did not care who was in net. Expect loud chants of Hiiiiillllleeeeeerrrr during game two.

The Flames Could Not Handle The Ducks Top Line

Getzlaf, Perry and Maroon combined to score four of the Ducks six goals in game one. Getzlaf and Perry each had four point nights as they made the Calgary defense look silly. The Ducks top line presented to much size for Calgary. Their cycle game was absolutely ridiculous as some shifts looked as though the Ducks top line was just playing a game of pass. Getzlaf and Perry used their twin telepathy to give the Flames defense a preview of whats to come.

Gaudreau Can’t Handle The Heat

Johnny Gaudreau will not be a key player for the Flames in this series. He is simply to small to play with the big boys. Gaudreau has great hands and speed, but the Ducks gave him no room to operate as they were physical with the 21 year old rookie all night. Nate Thompson was called for a penalty at one point when he gave Gaudreau a little love tap that sent the 150 pound kid flying into the boards. Gaudreau did not play much after that hit. In a game where it was clear that his team was going to lose, Flames coach Bob Hartley saw no point in playing Gaudreau during the third period. Gaudreau only played a total of 14 minutes in game one because he could not handle the heat as the Ducks told him to get out of the kitchen.

The Key Players Stepped Up

In the three key players for the Ducks article, I highlighted Thompson, Lindholm, Beleskey and Palmieri. It didnt take long for these guys to make an impact. Hampus Lindholm threw a puck wide of the net as Palmieri tipped it back in front to Beleskey who fired it past Hiller. After a rough opening series for Palmieri and Beleskey it was great to see them open the scoring for the Ducks in game one. Hampus Lindholm would add another assists on Emerson Etem’s goal to give him a multi point night as he was generating offense throughout the game. Nate Thompson was back for game one after missing the entire first round with an injury. Thompson was not required to do much in this game, but he dominated at the face off dot winning 78% of his draws. I won’t go into any more detail about why these players are key for the Ducks because it should be pretty apparent after their contributions lead to a 6 to 1 victory in game one.

Injuries

A terrible loss was not the only thing the Flames suffered in game one. Juri Hudler and Michael Ferland were both injured and played less than seven minutes. Hudler is the best veteran on this young Flames team and if he is not available for game two it could be devastating for the Flames offense which struggled in game one. Ferland was a beast in the Flames opening round series against Vancouver. He lead the team in hits and was a menace on the forecheck. The Flames are already at a size and physicality disadvantage in this series and they can not afford to have Ferland miss game two.

3 Stars

1. Corey Perry

Scorey Perry came to play in game one. The Flames did not have a plan to stop Perry as he went off for two goals and two assists. Both of Perry’s goals came right on the doorstep and he showed his usual fearlessness. If the Flames are not physical with Perry in game two then I guarantee he won’t stop crashing the crease and the Flames goalies will continue to fish pucks out of the net.

2. Ryan Getzlaf

Plain and simple, the Flames do not have a center that can matchup with the 6’4, 218 pound Getzlaf. He was a force to be reckoned with in the offensive zone and Calgary gave him far too much time to operate. Getzlaf is known as one of the best passers in the league on his backhand and it showed in game one. A slick no look backhand pass to Pat Maroon gave the Ducks a two goal lead in the first period. Getzlaf is on a mission to get the Ducks back to the western conference finals and I don’t think the Flames can do anything to stop him.

3. Freddie Andersen

There was a number of Ducks players who had themselves a great game. Freddie Andersen gets the third star because he gave the Ducks momentum at the beginning of the game. Silfverberg fumbled the puck in the offensive zone and it lead to a Josh Jooris breakaway just two minutes into the game. Freddie Andersen shut the door on Jooris and came up with a huge save. This play could have easily given the Flames momentum if Jooris had scored, but Freddie said no sir. He should have had a shutout, but stopping 23 of 24 shots including the momentum generating save on Jooris earns Freddie the third star of the game.

Looking Ahead To Game 2

The Ducks and Flames will have two days off as game two is set for Sunday night in Anaheim. For the Ducks, it will be about not getting complacent and keeping their foot on the gas pedal. For the Flames, it will be about a fresh start and erasing game one from the memory bank. If Juri Hudler and Michael Ferland can not play in game two, the Flames could be facing a two games to none deficit as they head home for game three. The Ducks will want to do exactly what they did in game one, dominate for 60 minutes.