The 2014 NHL Playoffs are underway and the Anaheim Ducks and Dallas Stars begin at the Honda Center. Just how nervous should the Ducks be against a dangerous team like the Stars?
UPDATE: 9:57 pm: The Anaheim Ducks won Game 1, defeating the Stars 4-3. After scoring 4 straight goals, the Ducks had to hold on for the win in the final moments. Ryan Getzlaf left the game with 16.3 seconds remaining after taking a slap shot to the mouth…we’ll have updates soon.
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UPDATE: 9:43 pm: Seguin cuts the Ducks lead to 1, beating Andersen with 6:07 to play in the game
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UPDATE: 8:54 pm: Stars have scored 2-in-a-row on the Power Play, Ducks lead is cut to 4-2 as the second period comes to a close
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UPDATE: 8:30 pm: #AnaheimDucksGoooaaalll! Power Play goal – Beleskey deflects it in – assists to Francois Beauchemin and Teemu Selanne, 4-0 Ducks lead with 10 minutes left in the second period.
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UPDATE: 8:00 pm: Ducks lead 3-0 as Mathieu Perreault added another goal. Dallas leads shots on goal with 14-10, but Ducks lead in faceoffs 14-12.
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UPDATE: 7:36 pm: Getzlaf scores off the bank from Lehtonen and it’s 2-0 Ducks late 1st period. Stars bench was livid it wasn’t blown dead, but the goal counts. Should it have?
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UPDATE: 7:20 pm: Ducks score first on a goal by Kyle Palmieri on a beautiful pass from Nick Bonino at 1:53, give an assist to Daniel Winnik as well.
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The 2014 NHL Playoffs are here and the Anaheim Ducks are primed to square off against Stephane Robidas‘ former team – the Dallas Stars.
Ducks vs Stars is one one of the less sexy matchups – the best in the NHL‘s Western Conference vs the No. 8 seed Stars.
Francois Beauchemi fights Jamie Benn (AP PHOTO/MARK J. TERRILL)
This is the third meeting in the playoffs between the two (previously in 2003 and 2008). Anaheim won the series 4-2 in 2003 and Dallas took the series 4-2 in 2008, a year after the Ducks won their first Stanley Cup.
A year ago, the Ducks finished the regular season with the second best record in the Western Conference but lost the opening-round series to the seventh-seeded Detroit Red Wings. They are hoping to use that tough but good experience in their favor as they play the dangerous Stars in the first round of the playoffs.
The Stars are 2-1 against the Ducks this season, winning the last two 6-3 and 2-0, only one of two teams to shutout Anaheim (Chicago Blackhawks being the other).
Ducks: The Ducks are deep, physical, fast team; they are quick to the puck and have the ability to create havoc in transition.Anaheim’s offense is carried by arguably the toughest duo of Ryan Getzlaf, who is having a career year and should be a finalist for NHL’s Hart Trophy with 87 points (31 G, 56 A), and Corey Perry, who is also having a tremendous season with 82 points (43 G, 39 A). The Ducks also possess depth at forward with Nick Bonino, Mathieu Perreault, Andrew Cogliano all with at least 40 points. The Ducks don’t necessarily have one true shut down defenseman, but they are led by solid veterans in Francois Beauchemin and Stephane Robidas, the former Dallas Star, and top picks Cam Fowler and Hampus Lindholm, all smart blueliners with offensive play making abilities.
The Ducks biggest weakness is in net. Goalies have proven to be the difference makers in the postseason and this could go either way for Anaheim. Yes, Coach Bruce Boudreau has the luxury to choose between three good goalies: Veteran Jonas Hiller, rookies Frederick Andersen and John Gibson. But all have question marks: Andersen hasn’t played since April 4 and is nursing an upper-body injury, Hiller has struggled down the stretch and Gibson has only played in three NHL games. On Wednesday, Boudreau announced the rookie Frederick Andersen will start in net for game one. The Danish goalie has made a name for himself going 20-5-0 with 2.29 goals-against average and .923 save percentage in his rookie campaign.
Stars: The Stars have been in playoff mode for over a month just to make the post season and should keep that up-tempo to stay pace with the Ducks. Dallas may not be as deep as Anaheim at forward, but they do possess one of the most dangerous and dynamic duos in Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. They have so much speed, uncanny abilities to expose holes in coverage, and quick releases. Seguin has faced scrutiny for his poor play a year ago when he only scored one goal in 22 playoff games for the Boston Bruins, but his year he has a whole new role with the Stars and nicely transitioned back to his natural position at center.
The 22-year-old is having a career year: 84 points (37 goals, 47 assists) and is a big reason for the Stars sneaking into the playoffs. The blueliners have been shaky with the puck this season; however, this corp is underrated with speed and creativity in the transition game.
One advantage the Stars have over the Ducks is the certainty in goal. Kari Lehtonen is 33-20-10 with 2.41 goals-average against and .919 save percentage. The 30-year-old Finnish netminder has the capabilities to be the difference and steal this series.
Ryan Garbutt is clipped from behind by Cam Fowler (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Stars weaknesses is the drop from the first line and poor puck protection. Dallas lacks depth at forward and secondary scoring. The third-leading scorer on the Stars’ roster is Ryan Garbutt with 17 goals. Another concern is the poor puck protection as they have the 5th most giveaways in the league.
I don’t think Anaheim dodged a bullet by facing Dallas in the first-round. These teams have similar playing styles: They are fast and can frustrate the opponents. Yes, on paper this Ducks team should win handily: They are deeper and more talented than the Stars, but with their drop in puck possession over the last few months and lack of a clear starter in goal could be pivotal.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Dallas stuns the city of Anaheim and pulls off the upset.
Some believe if the Ducks faced the Minnesota Wild in the first round it would be a better series to watch. I disagree. Minnesota is also facing goalie troubles and aren’t nearly as dangerous and exciting to watch as the Stars. Maybe those two can face in the Western Conference Finals. In the meantime, put up your feet and enjoy this upcoming battle of speed between the Ducks and Stars. It won’t be easy for the regular-season West champs. Still, I predict the Ducks to win this series in six.
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