Game Day: Does an Anaheim Ducks Regular Season Game Get Bigger than This?
By Greg Johnson
The Anaheim Ducks hold the last playoff spot going into tonight’s action. Tonight’s game against their main rival, the Los Angeles Kings, may well determine their playoff fate. (7:00 PT on Fox Sports Prime & Fox Sports San Diego).
Vs. Los Angeles This Year
Adding Vegas to the Pacific Division this season had some drawbacks. The main one is the Anaheim Ducks and LA Kings only face each other four times instead of five during the regular season. The Ducks are 2-0-1 against the Kings this season. They lost in a shootout at Staples Center in November when the team was still relatively impacted by their injuries. You might remember that night was the Superman punch sequel.
In January, Anaheim again traveled north, this time much more healthy. They beat the Kings 4-2. They also had three fights in four seconds (see below). That was the contest where iron man Andrew Cogliano drew a two-game suspension for a high late hit on Adrian Kempe, which ended his streak.
Six nights later, the Kings visited Honda Center and were beaten 2-1 on a late goal by Ryan Kesler, who had recently returned from hip surgery. That night, the crowd was abuzz not only because of the play on the ice, but because Andrew Cogliano returned from his two-game suspension.
The Stakes
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The Anaheim Ducks have 91 points and are two points behind the Kings for third in the Pacific Division. That third spot is an automatic invitation to the playoffs.
Anaheim has a game in hand over the Kings. The problem the Ducks face is they are behind everyone else in the first tiebreaker, regulation and overtime wins (ROW).
Colorado is only one point behind the Ducks for the final wildcard spot. With those considerations, it means if the Ducks lose tonight and Colorado manages a point against the also-ran Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim will find themselves outside of the playoffs.
The Anaheim Ducks have only four games remaining on their schedule after tonight’s tilt. And don’t look away for long after tonight. Sunday the Avalanche visit the Honda Center. There is no room for the Ducks to stumble any longer (hello Tuesday’s overwhelming loss to the bottom-feeding Vancouver Canucks.)
Ducks Lineup
According to Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register, inexperienced Troy Terry will sit and J. T. Brown will skate for the first time since March 9. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Terry, who took some big hits in Vancouver, needs to be sheltered until he learns the strength of NHL players. Tonight’s game won’t be for the faint of heart.
Forwards
Rakell – Getzlaf – Perry
Cogliano – Kesler – Silfverberg
Ritchie – Henrique – Kase
Chimera – Grant – Brown
Defense
Fowler – Montour
Lindholm – Manson
Beauchemin – Pettersson
Goalies
Gibson
Miller
Courtesy Please
Look, it’s Friday night. The work week is over and the two Southern California rivals are playing for big stakes. But your honor can’t take a back seat tonight. I know Kings fans and their organization sometimes lack class.
Ducks fans, you know you’re better than those overcharged band-wagoners from the north and their handsy mascot. Make sure you act like it. Cheer loudly. Root your team on all night long.
Next: Q&A with Ducks PA Announcer Phil Hulett
Don’t let them drag you down to their level. You’re much too good for that. The harshest words to come out of your mouth should be, “I heard Kings fans were nice and knew the game. I guess I was misinformed.”