Game 3: Ducks Look To Get Back Into The Series

Graphic: NHL

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks square off with the San Jose Sharks tonight for Game 3 at 7:30 PM PT at SAP Center.

Anaheim Outlook:

The Ducks lost Games 1 and 2 at home in Anaheim. After getting blanked in Game 1, the Ducks came out strong in Game 2 scoring first but ultimately lost again. Anaheim is in a familiar position as they got down 0-2 to Edmonton last year in the postseason by dropping the first two games at home. The Ducks were able to rally and win that series in seven games so Anaheim knows what it takes to rally to win a series.

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Keys To The Game

The Ducks got the better start they needed in Game 2 when Jakob Silfverberg scored in the opening minute of the contest. San Jose was able to counter and score twice in the first period to gain the momentum back. There were some questionable calls that didn’t help in Game 2, but the Ducks overall have to be better if they want to win tonight and eventually grab this series. The Ducks improved their play in Game 2 and will need to do so again tonight.

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, 0-2-0, GAA 3.05, SV% .913 (Probable)

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San Jose’s Outlook:

The Sharks have taken a commanding 2-0 series lead by winning both games in Anaheim. Peter DeBoer is likely going with the same lineup and why shouldn’t he with the way San Jose has played so far.

Keys To The Game

There isn’t much for San Jose to change to their script heading into Game 3. They did give up an early goal against Anaheim but then were able to maintain their defensive system for a majority of the game during 5-on-5 play. Only a power play was given up by the team since the opening minute of the game.

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 2-0-0, GAA 1.00, SV% .964 (Probable)

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April 16th, 2018