Round two comes down to tonight's game seven at the Honda Center. The Ducks had a chance to put the series away Sunday night in Edmonton, but couldn't get the job done, far from it. Props to the Oilers, they come out of gate on fire and poured on the goals throughout the game. They learned their lesson well from their game five collapse.

War of Attrition

One of the key factors in a playoff series, is which players you finish it with, not necessarily the ones you started with. Edmonton lost defensive stalwart Andrej Sekera for the series, but Oscar Klefbom is expected to return tonight after missing the previous game.

The Ducks on the other hand are struggling with injuries.

Patrick Eaves will not be in the lineup. Yesterday, he left the Honda Center on crutches due to a foot injury.

Logan Shaw (LBI) is out as well. If you recall, he took a hard shot off his leg in game five.

Kevin Bieksa and Ondrej Kase both participated in an optional practice this morning. Both are options for tonight's game however coach Randy Carlyle said the Bieksa would need clearance form the medical staff before he considers placing the veteran defenceman back in the lineup.

Nate Thompson was also at practice. He looks good to go, but just in case Sam Carrick was recalled from San Diego.

Demons

Home ice in game seven hasn't been an advantage for the Ducks. In each of the last four years they have been eliminated from the playoffs in game sevens at the Honda Center. Tonight the tide will change. I've written it time and again, for all the good Bruce Boudreau did behind the Ducks bench, he was out-coached in tough playoff series by his opposite. It is exactly the reason why Anaheim General Manager Bob Murray brought Carlyle back to be the coach (or exorcist). Carlyle has a cup under his belt. He certainly proved in this series he is capable of make correct decisions in the heat of battle.

Some Good News

Simon Despres was on the ice Tuesday. His first appearance on skates since he received a concussion in November. Everyone wishes him well as he tries to overcome post-concussive syndrome.

Edmonton @ Ducks; Round 2, Game 7

Many cliches can be used for tonight's deciding game seven; do or die, win or go home, for all the marbles, etc. The main point is this, the Ducks need this one bad. Their playoff window with the veteran core is closing. Young, highly talented teams such as Calgary and Edmonton are poised to take over the Pacific Division and control it for some time. “There's always next year,” could very well be out the window for the Ducks team as it is presently built.

Thompson should be back, but there are still some question marks as to who will dress for Anaheim tonight. Should Anaheim fail to win, there is no tomorrow. If Kase can play, he will. Bieksa is another story. If Bieksa feels he is good to go, it might take the National Guard to keep him off the ice. At less than 100%, he isn't an upgrade over any of the top six defensemen, so he sits. Jonathan Bernier didn't look any better than John Gibson in goal during Sunday night's massacre, he won't unseat Gibson as the starter. Here is my expected lineup:

Forwards
Rakell-Getzlaf-Perry
Cogliano-Kesler-Silfverberg
Ritchie-Vermette-Wagner
Kase-Thompson-Kerdiles

Defensemen
Fowler-Vatanen
Lindholm-Montour
Theodore-Manson

Goalies
Gibson
Bernier

Scratches
Eaves
Shaw
Bieksa
Boll
Holzer

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