It's sink or swim time for the Anaheim Ducks, whose 2-0 series lead has melted away into a 2-2 series tie with the Dallas Stars in their Western Conference First Round series.

Playing without Teemu Selanne (benched), Ryan Getzlaf (upper-body) and Stephane Robidas (leg), the Ducks couldn't keep pace with the Stars, falling 4-2 at American Airlines Arena.

In reality, a healthy Dallas was just too much for the shorthanded Ducks.

Anaheim was spotted a 2-0 first period lead on goals from Bryan Allen and Patrick Maroon, but Dallas was not about to go quietly and they didn't.

The Stars rallied with second-period goals from Jamie Benn and Vern Fiddler to make it a 2-2 game after 40 minutes. Cody Eakin and Alex Goligoski then scored the game clinching goals in the third.

Goligoski's goal chased Freddie Andersen from the game. He was replaced by Jonas Hiller. Andersen stopped 21 of 25 shots. I Freddie was not good again. He did make some big saves and he also let in a couple of softies. I think he sits for the next game.

Now we have a dogfight on our hands.

If Getzlaf is hurt enough to miss an important playoff game then how bad is he injured? The Ducks captain has been the lifeblood of this team for the past few seasons.If he is hurt that bad than how effective could he possibly be moving forward?
on his death bed? I know Selanne has looked old out there but he he could have helped...right? Emerson Etem took No. 8's spot in the lineup and had five shots on net and no points.

OK, here's the issue...the Ducks look all out of whack. They managed to score just two goals in the two games in Dallas. Andersen has not been as dominant as he was in the regular season. Anaheim's defense would make a bull fighter jealous. Five Ducks said "Ole" and moved out of the way on Eakin's game winning goal.

I hate to say this but the series now comes down to how well Jonas Hiller plays going forward as I expect he'll start game five back in Anaheim. Is anybody else nervous about this?

Bruce Boudreau better hope his team can pull off another one of their turnarounds or it's going to be another very short spring for the Ducks.

Thanks for reading!

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