San Jose at Anaheim Ducks WCQF Game 2- Don’t Get Mad, Get Even

SAN JOSE, CA - DECEMBER 29: Joe Thornton
SAN JOSE, CA - DECEMBER 29: Joe Thornton

After a poor showing in Game 1 of the series, The Anaheim Ducks are looking to even the series before heading up to the Shark Tank in San Jose.

Nothing seemed to go right for the Anaheim Ducks in the first game. But game two from Honda Center tonight could be a different story.

Anaheim Ducks Keys

The boys from Orange County must stay disciplined and keep themselves out of the penalty box. The Ducks ended up taking 7 penalties in the first matchup and San Jose capitalized for the eventual game-winner.

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Ducks also need to be more physical. They didn’t seem to want to throw the body around that much on Friday. To be successful in the playoffs you need to be physical.

The Ducks most focus on the game at hand. San Jose is looking to take a 2-0 advantage in the series.

SJS Players to Watch

An eight-minute stretch was all it took to jump out to a 3-0 lead in the second period of game one. Evander Kane had two goals in that stretch. Martin Jones is expected in net for the Sharks. Last time out, he stopped all of Anaheim’s 25 shots for a shutout.

Joe Pavelski is another player the Ducks need to watch. He had two assists in game one. Brett Burns is one of the best defensemen in the game and he proved that he will be a force in this series. Also, Joe Thornton might be back in tonight. If he plays, that’s another tall order for the Ducks.

Ducks Lineup

John Gibson is expected to be in net again for Anaheim. He was one of the few bright spots for the Ducks in game one. Coming back for his first game since an April first collision with Gabriel Landeskog, Gibby looked like he hadn’t missed time at all.

Kevin Bieksa will make his first appearance since March 12. He had been on the injured list after hand Surgery. If there is a change amongst the forwards, Antoine Vermette may come off the fourth line in favor of Jason Chimera or Chris Kelly.

Forwards

Rakell-Getzlaf-Perry

Cogliano-Kesler-Silfverberg

Ritchie-Henrique-Kase

Brown/Kelly-Grant-Chimera

Defensemen

Lindholm-Manson

Montour-Beauchemin

Pettersson-Bieksa

Goalies

Gibson

Miller

Next: Looking back at the 2009 Ducks - San Jose Series

The Wrap

We will have a better understanding of how this series is going to play out after tonight. It will either be a huge 2-0 lead for San Jose or a brand new series heading up to SAP Center. Let’s all hope for a brand new series.

Game Time – 7:30 PM PDT

TV –  NBCSN and Fox Sports Prime Ticket.

Radio – KSPN 710 AM