Game 2: Ducks Look To Tie Up Series

Graphic: NHL

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks square off with the San Jose Sharks tonight for Game 2 at 7:30 PM PT at Honda Center.

Anaheim Outlook:

The Ducks dropped Game 1 as they were blanked by the Sharks. Penalties proved to be costly in the second period as the Ducks took two within about 15 seconds apart to give the Sharks a 5-on-3 power play. San Jose would convert on that power play and eventually build a 3-0 lead in the middle frame. The Ducks only had 13 shots through two periods and tried to turn up the heat in the third, but couldn’t get on the board.

Keys To The Game

The Ducks need to have a better start in this game. In the opening game, Anaheim only had four shots on net in the first period. The Sharks played a good defensive system blocking 20 shots by the Ducks. Anaheim needs to establish the forecheck and create better scoring opportunities. The Ducks also need to avoid the penalty box and play more discipline or it could be another long night.

Anaheim’s Projected Lineup:

Offense
Rickard Rakell – Ryan Getzlaf – Corey Perry
Andrew Cogliano – Ryan Kesler – Jakob Silfverberg
Nick Ritchie – Adam Henrique – Ondrej Kase
Antoine Vermette – Derek Grant – J.T. Brown

Defense
Hampus Lindholm – Josh Manson
Francois Beauchemin – Brandon Montour
Marcus Pettersson – Kevin Bieksa

In Net
John Gibson, 0-1-0, GAA 3.00, SV% .912 (Probable)

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San Jose’s Outlook:

The Sharks played a solid opening contest and were able to already steal one game on the road. A big second period provided all the scoring they needed as they beat the Ducks 3-0. Peter DeBoer must be a Stars Wars fan because he tried to play a Jedi mind trick during the warmups of Game 1 when he had Joe Thornton take the ice. Thornton didn’t play as expected, but DeBoer definitely caught the attention of the Ducks.

Keys To The Game

There isn’t much for San Jose to change to their script heading into Game 2.  If San Jose can stick to their defensive system, then they could make life difficult again for Anaheim in this contest. They should, however, expect the Ducks to come out stronger and play better tonight.

San Jose’s  Projected Lineup:

Offense
Evander Kane – Joe Pavelski – Joonas Donskoi
Tomas Hertl – Logan Couture – Mikkel Boedker
Timo Meier – Chris Tierney – Kevin Labanc
Marcus Sorenson – Eric Fehr – Melker Karlsson

Defense
Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Justin Braun
Paul Martin – Brent Burns
Brenden Dillon – Dylan Demelo

In Net
Martin Jones 1-0-0, GAA 0.00, SV% 1.000 (Probable)

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April 14th, 2018