The Anaheim Ducks will be in the Stanley Cup playoffs this spring; that much we know for sure.
The Ducks clinched a spot on Friday night when the Red Wings fell to the Western Conference-leading Blackhawks in the skills competition. Anaheim failed to qualify for the playoffs last season making this feel that much sweeter.
This is the Ducks sixth appearance in the last eight seasons and the ninth overall for the franchise. Now Anaheim can turns its attention to the L.A. Kings and the Pacific Division title.
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DUCKS (27-9-5) at KINGS (23-14-4)
The Kings, arguably the Ducks biggest rivals, trail the Pacific Division leader by nine points with seven games to play. With the playoffs a lock, Anaheim can focus on wrapping up the division. A win tonight can put them one step closer to reaching that goal.
The Ducks have won the division just one time in franchise history; that was back in 2006-07 - which coincidentally happens to be the year they skated home as Cup champions.
A win tonight kills two birds with one giant bowl shaped stone. They would essentially Knock the current Cup champs off their pedestal and slide another step closer to a division crown. Try and tell me that doesn't hold any significance for Anaheim heading into their quest for Cup #2.
Tonight marks the fourth and final meeting between the two clubs this season. Anaheim leads the series 2-1, winning both games at home while the Kings took the only game at Staples Center. I'm sure L.A. plans on sticking to that script again this evening.
It is going to be Viktor Fasth against Jonathan Quick in the nets. Fasth has three wins and a 1.60 goals-against average in his last five games. Quick, on the other hand, has surrendered 14 goals in his last five starts, posting a 2-2-1 record.
Despite the divisional implications, the Kings are just trying to make sure they make the playoffs. Right now they sit fourth in the West. Only seven points separates the #4-9 spots. Dallas, currently in ninth, has an extra game in hand on L.A.
Last season, the Kings won the Cup as the eighth seed. I imagine they don't want to try and do that again. Playing at home is nice very now and again.
I expect tonight to be fun and I fully expect there to be some physical play mixed with a fair amount of goals. Would it be Ducks/Kings if it wasn't that way?
Ryan Getzlaf is back, but the Ducks will still be without Cam Fowler and Nick Bonino.
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