Game 4: Ducks Look To Advance To Round 2

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks have edged the Calgary Flames in each game by one goal and can advance to Round with a win tonight.

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Anaheim Outlook

In Game 3, it looked like Calgary was going to win easily. Early on the Flames were awarded several power plays and the Ducks gave up three power play goals. The Flames built a 4-1 lead halfway through the game. The Ducks were able to rally and tie the game at four apiece by the end of regulation. In overtime, Corey Perry was able to get the game-winner after he threw the puck on net, which deflected off a Calgary player and in.

Sami Vatanen did not play in Game 3 as he was out with an upper-body injury. The Ducks announced he will be out for Game 4 as well. John Gibson will get the start again tonight in Game 4.

Keys To The Game

The Ducks end this series tonight, which would be beneficial as the Sharks and Oilers need to play at least two more games to determine their series. The Ducks got down by three goals and were able to rally, but they can’t tempt fate and try to duplicate that again tonight. They need to get off to a good start like they did in Games 1 and 2. They need to play more discipline and avoid the penalty box. When they are shorthanded they need to play better on the penalty kill or the Flames could force a Game 6.

Anaheim Projected Lineup

Offense
Patrick Eaves – Ryan Getzlaf – Rickard Rakell
Andrew Cogliano – Ryan Kesler – Jakob Silfverberg
Nick Ritchie – Antoine Vermette – Corey Perry
Chris Wagner – Nate Thompson – Logan Shaw

Defense
Shea Theodore – Kevin Bieksa
Hampus Lindholm – Josh Manson
Korbinian Holzer – Brandon Montour

In Net
John Gibson (Confirmed)

Calgary Outlook

The Flames are down on their luck after building a 4-1 lead in Game 3 and letting it slip by. They got all the calls in Game 3 and still couldn’t prevail. They need to score early again, but keep playing the entire game. They let off the gas in the third period of Game 3 and it came back to bite them. They have to realize there is no tomorrow if they lose tonight.

Keys To The Game

The Flames did everything right in Game 3, except close it out. They forechecked out and drew penalties. They were extremely effective on the power play. Everything looked good for them after 40 minutes, but the last 20 minutes did them in. They are going to need a complete 60-minute effort tonight or they will be golfing today.

Calgary Projected Lineup

Offense
John Gaudreau – Sam Bennett – Troy Brouwer
Matthew Tkachuk – Mikael Backlund – Michael Frolik
Micheal Ferland – Sean Monahan – Alex Chiasson
Lance Bouma – Matt Stajan – Freddie Hamilton

In Net
Brian Elliott  (Probable)

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April 19th, 2017

Filed under: Ducks News Tagged: Anaheim Ducks, calgary flames, ducksnpucks