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Ducks Try to Continue Mastery Over Bruins + Selanne Returning?

March 25, 2012, 3:57 AM ET [17 Comments]
Steve Palumbo
San Jose Sharks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Anaheim Ducks will be aiming for their fourth consecutive win over the Boston Bruins when they host the defending Stanley Cup Champions Sunday at Honda Center.

The Bruins had been in a bit of a funk but have played better hockey of late. As a result they are in danger of losing the Northeast Division lead and the second seed in the Eastern Conference standings. The Ottawa Senators sit only three points off the division lead but the B's have two games in hand. Boston won in LA on Saturday and go for the So Cal sweep on Sunday.

The Ducks are trying to finish the season off strong. A win against last seasons Cup Champs would be a nice addition to their already impressive second half resume. Anaheim handled the Bruins back in December, thanks to Jonas Hiller's 45 save, 3-0 shutout.

In fact, the Ducks haven't lost to Boston since 2009.

The Ducks are 22-10-5 in their last 37 games, but have lost six of the last ten. They don't want to end the season on a sour note. I expect that with only seven games left until a long summer break, we won't see anything less than Anaheim's best.

My gut says Anaheim gets that fourth straight win over the B's with another big game from Hiller.
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What to watch for....

Boston Bruins (43-28-3) vs Anaheim Ducks (32-32-11)

* Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf has recorded points in five consecutive games. He has seven points total over the same span. Can Getzlaf stretch that to six?

* Nick Bonino has four points in his last two games. I've been impressed with his play especially since being joined with Bobby Ryan and Nick Palmieri on the third line.

* Jonas Hiller's 68 starts in tops in the NHL among starting goalies. Is he going the start playing Martin Brodeur type minutes? As long as he keeps playing as well as he has, there is no reason to think he can't.

* Bobby Ryan needs three more goals to reach 30 for the fourth straight season.

* Boston goalie Tim Thomas beat LA on Saturday, expect Marty Turco to get the start in net.

* Bruins captain Zdeno Chara played in his 1,000th NHL against the Kings. He will face the Ducks in game 1,001.

* Boston winger Brian Rolston is hot right now, he has nine points (2g 7a) in his curreent five-game point streak.

* If Chris Kelly scores on Sunday he becomes the Bruins sixth 20-goal scorer this season, joining Tyler Seguin, Patrice Bergeron, Milan Lucic, David Krejci and Brad Marchand.

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Jeff Miller of the OC Register said after spending 20 minutes with Teemu Selanne at the Duck practice on Saturday he is convinced the Finnish Flash will return for his 20th NHL season.

"Teemu Selanne will not retire. Instead, the greatest Duck ever will come back to play for the team during the 2012-13 season." - Miller

I have to admit some of Selanne's quotes sound like he is leaving the door open for a return.

"There's more inside me that wants to play than retire," Selanne told Miller.

This would certainly be good news for Ducks fans but is it the best thing for the team? If Selanne comes back for another year that takes a roster spot away from a younger that may be ready to make the jump full-time.

What do you think, do you want Selanne back for another season?
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