Detroit, Media/Versus, & the NHL = 1; Ducks = 0

--UPDATED!--

This is going to be an even tougher battle than I thought. I somehow forgot that the Ducks would be up against Detroit, the entire Media, and the NHL as a whole. Damn.

Plain and simple, the Ducks are going to have to play like angels if they want a chance in this series. There will be no room for sloppy play, because the entire NHL will be there to ensure the Ducks spend what is beyond their fair share of time in the penalty box.

So lets get right to it.

The Mike Brown hit.


--UPDATED--

Here's a still image from the opposite angle. Thanks to Morbo over at BOC






I think he's going to get a suspension. There is no way you lay a hit like that against the precious and untouchable Red Wings and not get slapped with a suspension...it doesn't matter how guilty or innocent you are. Of course Mike Brown feels he's innocent;

“I just hit him with my shoulder,” Brown said. “My elbow wasn’t up. My stick wasn’t up. It was just a clean hit. I wasn’t meaning to do any harm or anything. I was just playing physical. His head was down. I think they called it because he was cut and on the ice, but I think that was probably because of his visor. He had just gotten rid of the puck. It wasn’t late or anything.” OC Register

And of course, Jiri Hudler thinks it was dirty;

"I didn't see him coming," Hudler said. "It happened really quick. I didn't have the puck for at least two seconds. It was kind of late, but there's nothing I can do right now. Obviously, it's a hit on the head. I don't want to be out of line, but I hope (the League) will get a look at it and do the right thing." From the Rink

And for a change, not every media personnel is kissing Detroit's ass. Bob McKenzie from TSN;

"It's really up to the National Hockey League to decide what is it that they want to do. I think the NHL is going to look at it and say it's a five-minute major, it happened midway through the first period, Mike Brown is out of this game, there was no severe injury to Hudler other than the blood, he came back and he's playing, and the Ducks had to play with 11 forwards the rest of the game. There may not be a suspension in this case."Puck Daddy

My opinion? I think that the 5 minute major AND the game misconduct are more than enough. Late hit? A bit. However, a "bit" is more than enough and I'll accept that. Hit to the head? NO. Malicious? NO. Where did the blood come from? HIS OWN VISOR! I honestly don't think he deserves a suspension for the hit. Will they try and make this an example? Probably, even though it's a poor case in my opinion. If the Ducks were on the other end would I want a suspension? In all honesty, even with my passionate dislike of the Red Wings, I'm going to say no. I'd like to think I have a good ability to step out of the box.

That's my opinion. I want yours too...

Moving right along...

The Ducks lost this game because they were lazy in the final moments of the game. As much as I love Corey Perry and Bobby Effin Ryan, I'm sorry, but they failed me tonight. What were you boys doing STANDING AROUND?! There is no way you are going to win any games against Detroit if you're busy hanging around waiting for them to make a mistake. It's not going to happen. Instead, they waited for you to make a costly mistake in your own defensive end, and made you pay for it with less than 1 minute to go in the game. Maybe Effin doesn't know what it's like to see a goal in Joe Louis Arena with less than a minute to play, but Perry should remember that it's those last minute ditch efforts that won him a cup 2 years ago.

The Ducks had their chances tonight. A few posts and shots gone wide...but again, I'll refer you to this thought: It's not how you play, it's whether you win or lose. Those posts and wide misses are part of this game. You have to find a way to make those opportunities bounce in your favor. There was a huge spark of intensity from Teemu Selanne and his second linemates tonight. The chances for those guys are there. Andrew Ebbett, playing as hard as ever, taking hit after hit and still finding a way to get to the puck. Erik Christensen was right on the doorstep a few times tonight, and with a bounce here or there, the puck is in the back of the net. These guys are going to have to be the havoc makers in this series. I know Selanne can do it, the Ducks are just going to need a few more guys to step it up.

The Ducks have the ability to wear teams down. We saw that happen from time to time throughout this match up tonight and we saw it happen numerous times against San Jose. If they can continue to move the puck well, SKATE HARD and play smart defensive hockey, they can frustrate these Red Wings. I don't think the Ducks played great tonight and in fact, I think we've seen them play BETTER here in the last few months. If you ask me...that's a great sign. I think this means that a better game is on the way, and if that was Detroit's best effort...well...

Anaheim fans have to remember one thing. This is definite bonus hockey for us. It looked like Anaheim wasn't going to have a chance in hell at making the playoffs back in January. Had they made it...there seemed no way to get past the first round. Well, they've done BOTH of those things. We're being treated to a special brand of bonus hockey and I think the team knows that. I don't think this roster is going to give up without a fight.

And I kinda think they don't like Detroit as much as the rest of us do.

GO DUCKS!!!

2-0 means 1-0

Game 1 was the exactly what I expect this series to be...

Physical, fast paced, an overabundance of Ducks penalties, too many Sharks opportunities, low scoring...and me screaming at the TV.

Physical? Oh you bet! Two guys flying under the radar on the Ducks roster right now, Todd Marchant and Mike Brown, were so crucial to the Ducks' success last night. I don't know what Marchants' plans for the rest of his career are, but if he wants to "go out on top" this might be the time. He's been amazing this season, and has really peaked since taking over the centering spot on the checking line. His speed and his willingness to sacrifice himself for the team is unstoppable.

In addition, the aggressive play from Brown is allowing the penalty killing unit to be a successful factor for the Ducks. Lets face it, the Ducks took entirely too many penalties last night, and 3 unnecessary 2nd period minors from Rob Niedermayer doesn't help. Even Ryan Getzlaf got in on the action with a lame elbowing penalty in the final minutes of the game. With the Ducks leading 1-0, seeing the top scoring forward on the team head to the box was a enough to knock at least 2 years off of my life span. When Getzlaf emerged from the box and was on the right end of a San Jose turn over to send a bullet into the Sharks chances of coming back in game 1 - Getz effectively gave me back 4 years. I heard the clink of the cross bar and saw the puck come shooting back to the middle of the ice, I thought he had shanked it right off the top of the net. It wasn't until I saw the ref at the top of my TV signaling for a goal that I went crazy! CRAZY!

The Ducks took great advantage of what they were given. With so few shots on goal (17) - I'm starting to develop and interesting love/hate relationship with SOG. Clearly taking more shots is going to increase the odds of getting a goal, but the quality is really what's important here. Moving the puck well is so vital to the success of teams, and when the Ducks are doing that well...it shows on the scoreboard. On the same note, having a goal tender who is able to stop the opposing 35 shots thrown at him...now that's fantastic! Jonas Hiller in his first NHL playoff game made it look like he's been playing nothing but playoff caliber games his entire professional career. He was saved by at least 2 posts (that I could hear), but in the end he was a wall for the Ducks - who's defense has picked up greatly over the past few weeks with the additions of Ryan Whitney and James Wisniewski. All of those guys are really adding to the incredible powers that is the always amazing Scott Niedermayer. Scotty is just...he's the man. I don't know that there is a better offensive/defenseman in the league. Always so calm, collected, and so smart with the puck. There will never be another like him.

Another strong factor in last night's game was the second line. With no points to show for unfortunately, they did exactly what they need to do against the Sharks. They were a THREAT. Andrew Ebbett and Erik Christensen are meshing together well, and had a few opportunities last night in front of the crease. In addition, Teemu Selanne was looking strong with a great opportunity in the third to get the Ducks on the board that was tapped just wide. When this line creates scoring chances like this, it causes the Sharks defense to step it up for not just one scoring line, but two. Keep it up boys, those goals are going to come.

The only negative I took from last nights game was control. The Sharks clearly outplayed the Ducks for a majority of the game. They had control of the puck, yet they were unable to get anything going in terms of successful offense (thanks again for that one defense/Hiller). However, it's just a matter of time before the Sharks start playing like the team they have been this whole season. This San Jose team has the ability to move the puck well when they are in control. The Ducks need to focus on clearing the puck well and controlling the play in their own zone. With continued defensive pressure and a burst of offense, the Ducks have a better chance than many are giving them credit for.

Overall, it was a MUST win game for the Ducks. It gets the ball rolling in the right direction. There are many areas the Ducks must improve on if they plan on making it out of this first round, but for the most part, winning game 1 puts them on the right track.

This thing is far from over...but for today, it's feeling pretty damn good.

GO DUCKS!!!

OH! and a new Ducks Dude has been featured...head over and check out Chris Pronger and leave your thoughts about him on the bottom of the page!

This is only 1/2 the battle...

I wish there were a few more days in between games against the Sharks. A few more days to keep my blood pressure under control. A few more days to let the boys rest their bones.

Then again...let's get this weekend over with already.

I think the NHL schedule makers designed this back to back weekend intentionally, probably hoping it would be a tight race for the Pacific Division title. While it's not a race for the title, it's a very important weekend for BOTH teams. The Sharks looking for the Presidents trophy and a hold on first place in the Western Conference (home ice advantage of course) the Ducks are looking to just STAY IN playoff positioning.

That makes for some niiiiiiice hockey, doesn't it?

The Ducks came out strong to begin with. I can't complain. Solid shots on goal is a big deal for this team. TAKING shots is one thing...but taking SMART shots is another thing all together. Big shots from the point lead to moving bodies, open spaces and eventually a beautiful backhand pass from Ryan Getzlaf to a wide open Bobby Effin Ryan for his first goal of the night ("first goal of the night"...oh man, I just love typing that!). These two would continue to light it up for the rest of the evening.

Getzlaf gets another huge assist moments later to set up a Corey Perry goal. Again, knowing that this line is clicking and striking while hot...I can't get enough. Getzlaf, with 64 assists this season, passes the Ducks' single season record previously held by Paul Kariya (62 assists). Great. I'll be honest, I don't have the bad blood against Kariya that most Ducks fans do, but I will say this...I LOVE seeing these kids put their names on Ducks history. Especially when we're taking about the potential future of this franchise. Plus, we ALL know that Bobby Effin Ryan is a WAY better rookie than Dustin Penner was! Effin is now the all time Ducks leader for goals by a rookie with 30 on the year - in ONLY 61 games played. In addition, Perry netted his 30th goal of the season, a career high for him. What a night for new records!

If you're looking for confirmation that these guys were hot tonight...

"They were flat-out dominant," Sharks coach Todd McLellan said of the Ducks' high-scoring line. "They were the top players in the game. We had last change, we could have matched anybody we wanted, but it wouldn't have mattered. They were playing that well." Associated Press

I couldn't agree more. To see Getzlaf finding his stride again, only means he'll be taking Perry with him. Fantastic. And Effin? Well, he'll be there no matter who he's playing with.

In addition to a smoking hot first line, that 4th line has been working hard and it's paying off. "Ducks in a Row" today was damn accurate today thanks to some hard work by George Parros, Erik Christensen and Mike Brown (and of course DIAR also predicted goals by Effin and a great showing by Hiller in net). Huge goal for Brown, he's a hard working guy who was reward tonight. NICE JOB BUD! The play by the 3rd and 4th line has been very physical lately (duh), but it means so much to the Ducks' success. Fighting for lose pucks along the boards, getting into open spaces, and driving the net. These guys are making strong names for themselves on the defensive end and then capitalizing with huge goals! Secondary scoring is huge for any team, and when you have a team with 2 amazing lines like the Ducks do, secondary scoring is ALWAYS a bonus, a motivating boost, a spark of fire, a HUGE thorn in the sides of the opposition. Give me more! If the Ducks continue to see hard fought battles from everyone on the ice, like they have been lately, there is very little doubt in my mind that..........well, I'll let everyone think about this one themselves.

So I have one negative for the night...

I hate hearing phrases like, "one hands it". To me, that is a direct indication that you're not moving your feet enough. MOVE YOUR FEET! Those lazy plays cause turnovers and the inability to clear the puck out of the zone. That leads to PENALTIES and/or GOALS!! KILLER! The Ducks felt the effects of that a few times tonight, and the outcome could have been way worse! The consecutive penalties to start the 2nd period were very unfortunate...and yet the Ducks managed to only give up one goal with those opportunities. PHEW!

Which leads me to Jonas Hiller. I don't know if he's going to be in net tomorrow night, but I think that there is a very great chance that we'll be seeing him again. I think that Randy Carlyle is going to be forced to play the man who beat the Sharks tonight. I could be wrong, but I don't expect to see JS Giguere in there. Hiller played a very solid game, made some huge saves and for the most part, did very well at "giving the team a chance to win". He had some scary moments from time to time, but for the most part he was squared to the puck. He was given a big break by roughed up Sheldon Brookbank (did you see that black eye? OUCH!) in the final moments of the 3rd when the Ducks were killing off Chris Pronger's interference call. Brookbank was just another guy on a long list of Ducks who have gone above and beyond to sacrifice themselves this season to stop a potential goal. I love seeing the dedication to this team.

Something else I noticed tonight, it seemed that simply clearing the puck from the zone...VERY difficult for the Ducks. Yet, clearing the puck from the front of the net...VERY SUCCESSFUL!

So we'll end on a positive...

The best part of this game. Even in the third period, the Ducks were still playing hard. Still trying to force San Jose to turn the puck over. Still getting pucks in deep and still trying to score goals. Smart move, because these Sharks can be lethal...they can turn a game around in a heart beat.

Tomorrow is not going to be easy. The Sharks are hot and now they're pissed because they just lost to the team barely holding to the 7th position in the fight for the post season. Good, a fired up opposition means the Ducks will have to bring 150% and they know that.

We're 1/2 way through this battle...

DAMN! This feels goooooood doesn't it?

GO DUCKS!!!

They can't all be Colorado

WOW, I wish the Ducks could play Colorado EVERY NIGHT!

That whole game was something else wasn't it?

I got so many Twitter messages last night where people were just in SHOCK of what they were seeing.

Okay, but lets be realistic. Colorado is just awful. They have a whole rosters worth of guys out with injuries...and if you thought the Ducks were suffering through the season with newbies...the Avalanche are really struggling with no one like Scott Niedermayer or Chris Pronger out there to back those young guys up.

Wow, did it show.

First off...fantastic goals for the newest members of the team, who in reality are starting to look like they've been there since day one. Erik Christensen, James Wisniewski and Petteri Nokelainen. Seeing those guys contribute the way they have been lately makes trade deadline drama seem not so terrible. What I'm loving about the new group is that they're fighters. They're here trying to prove themselves (hopefully for spots on next years roster) and are working hard to show their teammates and the Ducks fans that they're worth something. That hard work pays off huge! For instance, Nokelainen's goal (the Ducks' 7th goal of the night) came from hard work and hustle along the neutral zone boards. He fought for the puck, stayed with the play and ended up with a mini breakaway which resulted in his 3rd goal of the season. Now that he's had the sit down with Corey Perry about rushing the net, maybe it's time he has a sit down with Ryan Getzlaf on how to win battles along the boards. Couldn't hurt.

I felt bad for Colorado at first and then I remembered what happened to the Ducks with Atlanta...and yea, not the same entirely...but damn it felt good to cream someone for a change! Between the recent Phoenix game and this game last night, it sure makes the fact that the Ducks have two more against these teams all the better.

I said I wanted to see that top line looking hot. You look at the goal scorers and you say, hey Perry had two...that line must have been hot! NOT! Both of Perry's goals came with the PP unit on the ice. I can't complain with the fact that the top line didn't shine and the big names didn't get points (nothing for Ryan Getzlaf, Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger and Bobby Ryan), but whatever...I'll take seven Ducks goals ANY DAY!

And again, Jonas Hiller was solid. He had his work cut out for him in the end as Colorado got 27 SOG in the final two periods of play. Clearly out shooting Anaheim in a desperation attempt to get back into the game. Randy Carlyle definitely did the gentleman thing in not making the scoreboard worse. Allowing the guys like Todd Marchant, George Parros and Mike Brown get in some more ice time, Carlyle took the focus off of trying to score and simply went with a defensive outlook for much of the third. Classy if you ask me. In addition, it allowed the big D men, Niedermayer and Pronger, to get some rest and play far fewer minutes than they have been averaging lately.

5 straight wins is nothing to brag about when it comes against teams like Phoenix (twice) and Colorado. But when you're in desperation-playoff-hunt like the Ducks are right now, 10 points is nothing to be upset about!

In the mean time...

GO DUCKS!!!

I think I've seen that one before

Deja vu?

3 on 3 in overtime...Scott Niedermayer winning the game...Todd Marchant mobbing him behind the net...the team dog pile...Scotty skating away as if the Ducks win games like that every night.

CRAZY!

One thing is for sure...Roberto Luongo must really hate Scott Niedermayer's OT heroics. I for one, LOVE them!

I can't say that the Ducks played a great game. I don't think they did. However, the crowd was into the game last night. Whether it was boo-ing some questionable calls (ie Getzlaf's interference...which I don't think would have been called if it was ANY OTHER TEAM. Weak call in my opinion), cheering for ALL goals, including those recalled...the crowd definitely offered support. Ironically the video board introduction before the game was encouraging the fans to get pumped up as well. GOOD! I'm glad that message is being made loud and clear to the fans. It's important and a big part of the reason that I LOVE being there. I am once again without a voice...and that's how I like it. I know it's hard to get involved in the game when there isn't anything to cheer about, but last night was a different story on many levels.

Goal tending. Jonas Hiller was outstanding last night. I find that I say that about him more often than I do JS Giguere these days. Again, I still think Hiller needs to hide his disappointment a little better, but his rebound control was fantastic last night and he just seemed to soak up all shots thrown at him. No sloppy seconds there. Seeing Hiller flip, spin, grab...he did it all to make some huge saves last night. At one point in the last few minutes of the game, he had what was by far the save of the night. Many good scoring chances for Vancouver were turned away by Hiller and he definitely did a majority of the work when it came to helping the Ducks pull out the win.

The new guys are looking fantastic! Petteri Nokelainen gets a goal, Ryan Whitney and Erik Christensen both get 2 assists apiece (minus their 2 recalled goals of course). Hopefully this is a spark for not only those 3 guys, but for the team as well. Great contribution by the newbies...I'm going to have to start working on some nicknames. Any ideas? Big concern was hearing that James Wisniewski left the game during the second period. I feel guilty for not noticing while I was at the game, I'm usually very aware of that. Anyway...I'll keep my eyes peeled about updated information regarding him.

Another huge factor was capitalizing on rebounds. Both Ryan Getzlaf and Nokelainen scored goals off of rebound opportunities. So many times in the last few games I've felt like I see opportunities, but no one is in front of the net to pick up the loose change (dimes I'm sure...you know what I'm talking about el toro).

In the end...it all comes down to this...a win, 2 points, some momentum, continued hope for the post season.

It will be interesting to see if the Ducks can take the momentum of a very big win against a very good team with them into Sunday's game.

Until then...

GO DUCKS!!!

Pick your poison

It really wont matter what option you chose, they're both lose - lose.

So do you want to go with the team that works harder than normal, but is going to be relying on the net minder who lets by soft goals on a regular basis. OR, do you want the team that spends 98% of the game chasing their opponent (they turn it on for about 2 minutes of the entire game...not a CONSECUTIVE 2 minutes, but beggars can't be choosers), but have maybe a little more confidence in the man between the pipes. For all purposes, these are the Ducks we're seeing here.

Friday night we see a Ducks team work hard and just not get the bounces. Just not get that one extra hop that puts the puck in the back of the net. However, they were also the team with JS Giguere in the net. Soft goal after not in position goal after how did you miss that?

Then tonight, the Ducks act as if they've got nothing to play for. No reason to skate hard. No reason to make clean passes. They don't want the post season. They're already envisioning relaxing on the beach, spending time with the family at the lake. They're on vacation...the fans are just paying to watch them get there. Jonas Hiller on the other hand...that guy is still trying. He had some fabulous saves tonight, saves that Jiggy would NOT have made in my opinion.

So which crappy team do you want? They're both for sale right now.

fa la la......... do you hear that? The Fat Lady is warming up.

So I'm going to go all "coach SK" for a minute...

One thing I think we can ALL agree on is that this team needs to move their feet. They are SO damn lazy it out there, it's sickening to watch.

I don't think it was until the final minutes of the 3rd period that I noticed some hitting. The 3rd period? YOU KIDDING ME?! It's one thing that I appreciate when I see George Parros and Ryan Carter on the ice. I know those guys are going to go out there and be aggressive. I don't think it's ironic that we see that 4th line controlling the puck in the Ducks offensive zone! Which brings me to the next point. That 4th line would probably be alot more effective offensively if they played together more. That line gets jumbled up SO much that they never really get to know one anothers habits. Give them the damn time to try and develop SOMETHING!

Okay, so the top line of Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Erik Christensen. It's wrong. I think Mike Brown should be playing with Getzlaf and Perry. I'd hate to demote Christensen so soon, and I'm not demoting him because I don't think he's a good enough player (I haven't made that distinction yet), but we know that Getzlaf and Perry need a guy who's going to be scrappy and quick...I think that guy is Brown. I've already said that I think he reminds me alot of Kunitz in his style of play...so let's see it happen.

Speaking of Getzlaf and Perry...what the hell is going on there? Getzlaf needs to "KOBE IT UP AND TAKE A SHOT!" (suggestion courtesy of Ramon and Mini). The overabundance of passing is getting old. This team doesn't pass well enough to make that an effective part of their game. (UPDATED -- well I read this on OC Register this morning...it's basically Getzlaf talking about his shooting/lack there of)

Personally, I'd almost rather see Perry hang out in front of the net more. Take some more goalie interference penalties for all I care...but if it means a few more goals get through, so be it!

Here's another obvious for everyone...

The Ducks have an insanely serious habit of letting that first goal get by within the first minute of the game. Here's what that does:

Team gets down...goalie gets down...fans get down...fans aren't loud, supportive, cheering...team isn't motivated, sparked...goalie isn't protected, assisted...goal, goal, goal...by the OTHER team!! It's a vicious cycle, one where after the first goal gets by...everyone on the Ducks side is prepared to throw in the towel. SHAME! BREAK THE CYCLE!!!!!!!!!!

So remember back at the beginning of 2009 I said I was going to be more positive? Well this team is sure making that hard to do.

I want to have something positive to say...but I'll be damned if I can come up with anything.

I have a prediction for the rest of the season, but I won't be sharing until after the regular season is over.

oh yea...GO DUCKS!!! Try not to embarrass yourselves too much the rest of the way.