Game 1 Teemu pushes Ducks past Detroit 3-1
Game 2 Red Wings blow 3-goal lead, beat Ducks in OT
Game 3 Anaheim beats Red Wings 4-0 to take 2-1 lead in series
Game 4 Red Wings beat Ducks 3-2 in Game 4, tie series
Game 5 Nick Bonino’s OT goal puts Ducks past Wings 3-2
Game 6 Zetterberg scores 2nd goal in OT to lift Red Wings to series-extending 4-3 win against Ducks
Game 7 Red Wings beat Ducks 3-2 in Game 7, set up date with Blackhawks
How the Ducks win: The Ducks have been one of the most offensively potent teams in the NHL, relying on three solid units up front and getting different heroes every night. A dozen Ducks have double-digit point totals, including Kyle Palmieri and Daniel Winnik.
Round 1: WINGS vs DUCKS (Detroit wins series 4-3) Game 1 ANA 3 DET 1 *if necessary. All times Eastern |
How the Red Wings win: These aren’t the powerhouse Red Wings of the past two decades, but they still can skate circles around their competition. Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Valtteri Filppula, Damien Brunner and Johan Franzen lead a skilled forward group that exploits slow-footed defenders. Detroit’s blueline is getting healthy at the right time and the Niklas Kronwall-led unit has a nice mix of size and mobility.
How the Ducks lose: This may sound basic, but when they don’t score. Anaheim’s offense dried up for spells, though never long enough to do damage. Come playoff time, however, that could mean the difference between moving on and heading home.
How the Red Wings lose: The Wings have been ousted from the playoffs for the same reason three straight years: a bigger, tougher team bullied them. Their forwards lack brawn, even with Jordin Tootoo on board.
Ducks goaltending: Anaheim seems to trip over great goalies on recruiting jaunts. The latest is Swedish vet Viktor Fasth, who presided over the Ducks’ excellent run at the opening of the season and kept the party going, sitting just outside the top 10 in GAA. Fasth platooned with Jonas Hiller, giving the Ducks two great options.
Red Wings goaltending: Detroit was confident enough in Jimmy Howard to sign him to a six-year extension. His regular season numbers (127-66-25, 2.39 GAA, .917 SP) warrant the term, but he hasn’t been nearly as good in the playoffs. He posted an .888 SP in the first round versus Nashville last season.
Ducks question mark: Anaheim had 52 minutes more on the penalty kill than on the man advantage as the season came to a
Red Wings question mark: Jakub Kindl, Brendan Smith, Carlo Colaiacovo and Danny DeKeyser were key components of the ‘D’ late in the season. That group has 11 career playoff games, all belonging to Colaiacovo.
Ducks top three fantasy players: Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Bobby Ryan.
Red Wings top three fantasy players: Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen.
Odds to win the Cup: Ducks: 12-1, Red Wings: 22-1.
THE EDGE GOES TO… | |||||
TEAM | FORWARDS | DEFENSE | GOALTENDING | SPECIAL TEAMS | COACHING |
| Ducks | EVEN | X | EVEN | EVEN |
|
| Red Wings | EVEN |
| EVEN | EVEN | X |
Winner and why: Even though 10 points separated them in the standings, there might not be two teams that are more evenly matched than the Ducks and the Red Wings in the first round. During the regular season, each team registered one blowout victory before the Red Wings defeated the Ducks 2-1. Both teams have Cup-winning experience throughout their lineups and elite, high-end forwards who can be difference makers. Red Wings in 7.
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