Wow!

Wow is a short word, however it sums up game 3 very nicely. In a contest in which they fell behind 4-1 less than half-way through regulation play, the Ducks dug deep and found the “intestinal fortitude” to rally back and win in overtime. When the coach pulls the starting goaltender, its often said he is sending a message to his team. 99 out of 100 times its either too late or the team is too far out for that message to make a difference. Monday was the one time out of 100 where a team rallied around the backup.

There are plenty of props to go around. In a game of many stars, Jonathan Bernier was impenetrable while defending his net, stopping all 16 shots he faced. Then there is Shea Theodore, who scored two goals. If not for injuries to Sami Vatanen and Cam Fowler, he might be in San Diego right now. How about Corey Perry? Aside from scoring the game winner, he generally made a pest of himself all night. Kevin Bieksa picked up his fourth assist in the series. Nobody saw that coming. Nate Thompson had a heck of a third period with a goal and an assist, before adding another helper on Perry's OT game winner. Lastly, Nick Ritchie is making a strong impression with his physical play.

Goalies

Anyone can have a bad game and John Gibson drew the short straw Monday. His team didn't do him many favors. They took too may penalties, which led to three power play goals against. Additionally, there was way too much traffic in front of Gibson's net. That has to stop no matter who plays in goal. Ducks coach Randy Carlyle will go back to John Gibson tonight. His team has a 3-0 series lead, the young man gets a shot to regain some confidence. Should Gibson fail, Anaheim can always come back to Bernier at home in game 5.

At the other end, if Chad Johnson can stand, Flames coach Glenn Gulutzen needs to make a goaltending change. Brian Elliott can't get the job done. It has to be disheartening for the rest of the Calgary team to watch Elliot get beat like a “government mule.”

Randoms

* This is money time. Potential unrestricted free agents Bernier, Patrick Eaves and Nate Thompson are earning nice contracts for next season. Korbinian Holzer is not.

* Maybe its me, but games at the Scotiabank Saddledome don't come across well on television. The lighting seems weird.

* Unless several things change between now and June 18, Josh Manson is headed for Las Vegas.

* How many people would have believed that Shea Theodore and Kevin Bieksa would be first and (tied for) second in postseason points thus far?

Ducks @ Calgary: Game 4

The Ducks can advance to the Western Conference Semifinals with a win tonight. Even though they would still have a commanding series lead if it went back to Anaheim for game five (fill in your own streak comment here), the Ducks would just as soon end things now.

It was announced on twitter earlier today that Sami Vatanen will not return to action tonight. Gibson is the starting goalie, so its very unlikely the Ducks lineup will change from Monday. Here are the Ducks players expected to take the ice tonight:

Forwards
Rakell-Getzlaf-Eaves
Cogliano-Kesler-Silfverberg
Ritchie-Vermette-Perry
Wagner-Thompson-Shaw

Defensemen
Theodore-Bieksa
Lindholm-Montour
Holzer-Manson

Goalies
Gibson
Bernier

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