NHL Playoffs Preview: Ducks vs Jets
By Lauren Lapka
The Anaheim Ducks and the Winnipeg Jets will meet in the first round of the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Anaheim Ducks (51-24-7, 109 pts) clinched the Western Conference and hold home ice throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the Winnipeg Jets (43-26-13, 99 pts) are their first opponent.
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It’s the third straight Pacific Division title for Anaheim and, making matters worse for Winnepeg, the Ducks took all three of their regular season match ups. Both teams carry recent power play woes into the series; the Ducks have gone dry their last seven games (0-11) and the Jets have needed fuel in their last six (1-22).
Anaheim has the elite talents of Ryan Getzlaf and Correy Perry at the top and a history of regular season dominance and post-season drop outs. Whereas the Jets get hot late.
The Jets will look to take advantage of Ducks goaltender Frederik Andersen who was thrown into the net last month when injuries took their toll on John Gibson. If the Ducks can get Andersen some clean looks at the puck and keep things close, it’s bad news for the Jets. The Ducks were 33-1-7 in one-goal games during the regular season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR:
Ryan Getzlaf led the Ducks with 25 goals and 45 assists and has long been one of the game’s best centers. He was joined this year by Ryan Kesler-a noted bad ass in the circle-who tallied 20 goals this season.
The Jets turn to Captain Andrew Ladd who’s a seasoned playoff performer. Dustin Byfuglien will need to provide offense while still dishing out punishment from the back end.
INJURIES:
With Gibson out, the Ducks have found their answer in goal with Andersen.
The Jets have been missing Paul Postma since March. Grant Clitsome isn’t expected back anytime soon but Mathieu Perreault seems a good bet to play game one despite dealing with a lower body injury.
PREDICTION:
This one was a tough decision to make. Although this Jets team has been on a roll, I think the Ducks will be too much for them to handle. I’m taking Anaheim in 6.
SCHEDULE:
GAME 1: April 16, Anaheim vs. Winnipeg 10:30ET/9:30CT CNBC
GAME 2: April 18, Anaheim vs. Winnipeg 10:30ET/9:30CT NBCSN
GAME 3: April 20, Anaheim @ Winnipeg 9:00ET/8:00CT NBCSN
GAME 4: April 22, Anaheim @ Winnipeg 9:30ET/8:30CT USA
IF GAME 5: April 24, TBA
IF GAME 6: April 26, TBA
IF GAME 7: April 28, TBA
For more of my videos, check out my author page here. Now that you know what my thoughts on it are, let me know what you think in the comments below or send me a tweet on the interwebs @LaurenLapka.
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