Not the attitude to have come playoff time. You can outscore half of the West that won't make the playoffs but if your GM doesn't find better defensive players expect to be no better than the Canucks.
- LAKingsfan626

Canucks have better depth and defense, and even if you compare the recent years PPG averages of the top guns(Perry, Getzlaf, Ryan, Selanne vs Henrik, Daniel, Kesler, Roy) it's not a huge advantage for the Ducks outside of size and physicality. Anaheim is a legit team no doubt, but I'd prefer to run into the Ducks in the playoffs instead of LA or CHI.

Ya he was so great Gretzky he coached the Yotes to a Stanley Cup!! NOT!!

- QUEENKILLA

Unbeatable argument here, just top-notch.

Yup warm weather and cali girls, that's why people play hockey.
- freelancer

umm, young, 20-something guys in great shape and full of hormones and testosterone are not driven by hot women wearing little clothing year round? I mean, obviously the hockey is good, the Ducks have a cup more recently than the Oil and have been a consistent playoff team while the Oil has been rebuilding, and Cali hockey is getting a better and better reputation with kids being drafted and others playing juniors and NCAA from there. The money is better- lower taxes than in Canada. I laugh when folks talk about not wanting to play in these "crappy" southern markets that are next to world class beaches.

Maybe you have not seen the beauties in bikinis on southern Cali and Florida beaches, but man, given the choice between that and Edmonton during hockey season, southward ho! that'd be why I'd play hockey.

Not the attitude to have come playoff time. You can outscore half of the West that won't make the playoffs but if your GM doesn't find better defensive players expect to be no better than the Canucks.
- LAKingsfan626

Interesting point, lets check the Ducks record against current playoff teams in the West.
Chicago 0 Ducks 3
Vancouver 1 Ducks 1
LA 1 Ducks 2
San Jose 3 Ducks 2
Minnesota 0 Ducks 3
St. Louis 1 Ducks 2
Detroit 2 Ducks 1

That makes Anaheim's record against Western Conf. playoff teams 14 - 8. They still have one game against the Kings and one against the Canucks so their final record will be either 14 - 10 or 16 - 8. Like I said before, I'll take scoreboard every time.

Interesting point, lets check the Ducks record against current playoff teams in the West.
Chicago 0 Ducks 3
Vancouver 1 Ducks 1
LA 1 Ducks 2
San Jose 3 Ducks 2
Minnesota 0 Ducks 3
St. Louis 1 Ducks 2
Detroit 2 Ducks 1

That makes Anaheim's record against Western Conf. playoff teams 14 - 8. They still have one game against the Kings and one against the Canucks so their final record will be either 14 - 10 or 16 - 8. Like I said before, I'll take scoreboard every time.
- duxcup07

Didn't realize that the Ducks were 3-0 against the Hawks.

Canucks have better depth and defense, and even if you compare the recent years PPG averages of the top guns(Perry, Getzlaf, Ryan, Selanne vs Henrik, Daniel, Kesler, Roy) it's not a huge advantage for the Ducks outside of size and physicality. Anaheim is a legit team no doubt, but I'd prefer to run into the Ducks in the playoffs instead of LA or CHI.
- Nucker101

Yeah, but that won't happen until the second round. Who knows what the situation will be then.

Canucks have better depth and defense, and even if you compare the recent years PPG averages of the top guns(Perry, Getzlaf, Ryan, Selanne vs Henrik, Daniel, Kesler, Roy) it's not a huge advantage for the Ducks outside of size and physicality. Anaheim is a legit team no doubt, but I'd prefer to run into the Ducks in the playoffs instead of LA or CHI.
- Nucker101

Anaheim and Vancouver both have a great offense but what I was trying to say was both of your teams lack that shutdown kind of defense when needed. When Anaheim won their cup they had a strong defense behind them.

Pronger / Niedermayer <-----Strength and firepower
Beauchemin / Huskins <----Shutdown/ Hard hitters
O'Donnell / DiPenta <------Shutdown

LA last year had a strong defense that took the pressure off Quick. This year you can see obvious gaps.

There's a reason why they always say "Defense wins championships".

Yeah, but that won't happen until the second round. Who knows what the situation will be then.
- duxcup07

True, plus a lot can happen in the playoffs. Luck does factor in, especially in those 1-0 or 2-1 games where all it takes is once lucky bounce. Players getting injured and sitting out or playing through it is also a factor plus a hot goalie is huge in the post-season.

Anaheim and Vancouver both have a great offense but what I was trying to say was both of your teams lack that shutdown kind of defense when needed. When Anaheim won their cup they had a strong defense behind them.

Pronger / Niedermayer <-----Strength and firepower
Beauchemin / Huskins <----Shutdown/ Hard hitters
O'Donnell / DiPenta <------Shutdown

LA last year had a strong defense that took the pressure off Quick. This year you can see obvious gaps.

There's a reason why they always say "Defense wins championships".
- LAKingsfan626

Fair enough. IMO both Anaheim and Vancouver have some pretty solid d-men that may not be big names but can get the job done. Obviously neither team has a d-man as talented as Doughty(as much as I dislike him, he's a hell of a player).

umm, young, 20-something guys in great shape and full of hormones and testosterone are not driven by hot women wearing little clothing year round? I mean, obviously the hockey is good, the Ducks have a cup more recently than the Oil and have been a consistent playoff team while the Oil has been rebuilding, and Cali hockey is getting a better and better reputation with kids being drafted and others playing juniors and NCAA from there. The money is better- lower taxes than in Canada. I laugh when folks talk about not wanting to play in these "crappy" southern markets that are next to world class beaches.

Maybe you have not seen the beauties in bikinis on southern Cali and Florida beaches, but man, given the choice between that and Edmonton during hockey season, southward ho! that'd be why I'd play hockey.
- clarkey

From Edmonton's (and Canada's) perspective, it pisses us off that everything that you said is true. The fact is, these players grew up loving to play hockey on a frozen pond. They couldn't feel their fingers or their face after a good game of shinny. It was all about being around family, the game, and loving to play it. Now, it's all about the wallet, the beach, and being on Paulina Gretzky's radar. Home isn't good enough for them anymore. We understand that it is a business and the grass is greener in California (right now). But after losing a Chris Pronger type player (that put all of Edmonton on his back in '06) because he and his wife needed to use the sunroof in December is hard not to take personally as a Canadian. So if you're expecting an apology or sympathy from Justin Schultz, Oiler fans, or anyone else for deciding to play (the game we covet and you think is pretty neat) a bit closer to home rather than chase tail in Orange County, you can stick it straight in your @$$.

Didn't realize that the Ducks were 3-0 against the Hawks.
- Nucker101

I believe 2 of those came in the shootout. Kings have more ROW than the Ducks do, they get a lot of their wins from there. Sort of like LA did two years ago, and then they faced San Jose in the playoffs... 3 of their 4 losses came in OT.

I believe 2 of those came in the shootout. Kings have more ROW than the Ducks do, they get a lot of their wins from there. Sort of like LA did two years ago, and then they faced San Jose in the playoffs... 3 of their 4 losses came in OT.
- bluecoconuts

One did but that's ok. I guess that still ruins the significance of sweeping the top team in the league. The ducks should hide in shame.

One did but that's ok. I guess that still ruins the significance of sweeping the top team in the league. The ducks should hide in shame.
- selanne4pres

out of curiosity? Do you Kings fans think that you are going to repeat? Cause a lot of Kings fans that I know of are already planning the parade.

out of curiosity? Do you Kings fans think that you are going to repeat? Cause a lot of Kings fans that I know of are already planning the parade.
- Ducks_Fan_93

Do I think? I think that in all likelihood, no, as repeating is so difficult, let alone winning it once. However I think that the odds are better than other cup-winning squads in recent memory. If Quick rounds into form/Bernier stays hot (thank heavens no shootouts in the playoffs!) and the back end solidifies I certainly don't fear any matchup.

What do you think of your chances?

From Edmonton's (and Canada's) perspective, it pisses us off that everything that you said is true. The fact is, these players grew up loving to play hockey on a frozen pond. They couldn't feel their fingers or their face after a good game of shinny. It was all about being around family, the game, and loving to play it. Now, it's all about the wallet, the beach, and being on Paulina Gretzky's radar. Home isn't good enough for them anymore. We understand that it is a business and the grass is greener in California (right now). But after losing a Chris Pronger type player (that put all of Edmonton on his back in '06) because he and his wife needed to use the sunroof in December is hard not to take personally as a Canadian. So if you're expecting an apology or sympathy from Justin Schultz, Oiler fans, or anyone else for deciding to play (the game we covet and you think is pretty neat) a bit closer to home rather than chase tail in Orange County, you can stick it straight in your @$$.
- fightobesity

#1- he should apologize for not telling the Ducks that's what he wanted rather than hiding the fact. As hard as you still feel about Chris Pronger, now you can surely how roasted a Duck's fan feels by the lack of forthcoming the kid had with an organization that believed in him and used a draft pick on him.

#2- The game we think is pretty neat but you covet? As angry as you feel about folks in sunny climates getting the kids off your ponds is how angry we feel every time a Canadian fan of the game discounts our love of the game because of where we are from. The fact is populations shift, and I grew up on frozen ponds with frostbit fingers too, so don't be so offensive to take a cheap shot at southern fans due to where they are from.

#3- I agree, its too bad the business gets in the way of the game, the lockout was proof positive of what drives players and owners.

#4- I point out in my original post only that which another post sought to discount- these young men, like young men everywhere like attractive women and to deny that as a factor some consider (hello Dustin Penner) is denying nature.

what did gretzky say?
- xXwagzXx

He told Schultz Edmonton would be a better place to play than Anaheim because he would get more ice time.

Do I think? I think that in all likelihood, no, as repeating is so difficult, let alone winning it once. However I think that the odds are better than other cup-winning squads in recent memory. If Quick rounds into form/Bernier stays hot (thank heavens no shootouts in the playoffs!) and the back end solidifies I certainly don't fear any matchup.

What do you think of your chances?
- JZarris

I think that the playoffs are a different monster all together, it really depends on the which team shows up for them. Will it be the ducks that started the season, or will it be the ducks that are playing right now. If the first team shows up, we have just as good of a chance as anyone else. If the second team shows up, it will be hard to make it out of the 1st round.

out of curiosity? Do you Kings fans think that you are going to repeat? Cause a lot of Kings fans that I know of are already planning the parade.
- Ducks_Fan_93

Every fan that has a team that's going to make the playoffs is planning a parade. Can I guarantee the Kings win the cup this year like last year? Honest answer is unsure. We're getting Greene back by playoff time and if he's at least 90% then I can be very positive that the Kings can repeat. Quick isn't amazing this year but Bernier has proven this year that he can hold his own. People also laughed at us last year for thinking we could win coming in at 8th place.

It wasn't embarrassing for me. I didn't boo the wrong guy. I know exactly who pulled a Kariya on us. Except Kariya did a lot of great things for us.

Schultz, I hope you continue to react to controversy by sucking like you did tonight. You can move to any team you want, including my Ducks, and I will boo your @$$ every night.

I hope you looked around on your way to the rink tonight and saw what a bad weather day during hockey season looks like around here. I hope you looked around and saw what the women professional hockey players get look like. You should never have listened to Gretzky, he steered you wrong dude. Suck it!
- yzermaneely

Oilers have a great talent pool but don't have the correct mix of players you need to go far in the playoffs. The Ducks have done great this year however they probably won't go far in the playoffs because they lack" time of possession" against the bigger stronger teams. The Kings lost the other night but dominated the Ducks in puck possession and shots and that won't cut it in a 7 game playoff series.
- arh777

We were missing Getzlaf in the line up and still managed to beat your beloved queenies. How sad...

Love how Kings fans are suddenly playoff experts this season.

Interesting point, lets check the Ducks record against current playoff teams in the West.
Chicago 0 Ducks 3
Vancouver 1 Ducks 1
LA 1 Ducks 2
San Jose 3 Ducks 2
Minnesota 0 Ducks 3
St. Louis 1 Ducks 2
Detroit 2 Ducks 1

That makes Anaheim's record against Western Conf. playoff teams 14 - 8. They still have one game against the Kings and one against the Canucks so their final record will be either 14 - 10 or 16 - 8. Like I said before, I'll take scoreboard every time.
- duxcup07

Means very little in the playoffs....Vancouver dominated the kings in the regular season last year.

We were missing Getzlaf in the line up and still managed to beat your beloved queenies. How sad...
- *Ducks4Cup*

So very mature" queenies" ?? are we in grade school? Kings have been missing their two top defensive players all year. No whining here! Just made an observation that the playoffs demand puck management and control. Cherry picking usually doesn't happen in the playoffs because of the tight defenses.

out of curiosity? Do you Kings fans think that you are going to repeat? Cause a lot of Kings fans that I know of are already planning the parade.
- Ducks_Fan_93

I never did. I think they'll be competitive, but I expect either a second or third round exit. It's possible for them to repeat, they're still a very strong team.. However repeating is so hard to do in this league. I think they'll win another one with the current core of players within another 5 years though.

#1- he should apologize for not telling the Ducks that's what he wanted rather than hiding the fact. As hard as you still feel about Chris Pronger, now you can surely how roasted a Duck's fan feels by the lack of forthcoming the kid had with an organization that believed in him and used a draft pick on him.

#2- The game we think is pretty neat but you covet? As angry as you feel about folks in sunny climates getting the kids off your ponds is how angry we feel every time a Canadian fan of the game discounts our love of the game because of where we are from. The fact is populations shift, and I grew up on frozen ponds with frostbit fingers too, so don't be so offensive to take a cheap shot at southern fans due to where they are from.

#3- I agree, its too bad the business gets in the way of the game, the lockout was proof positive of what drives players and owners.

#4- I point out in my original post only that which another post sought to discount- these young men, like young men everywhere like attractive women and to deny that as a factor some consider (hello Dustin Penner) is denying nature.
- clarkey

That's right, covet. I didn't stutter. I happen to live in the south as well so fortunately I can speak in an informed manner on the topic. So lets just say, for arguments sake, you do covet the game. We know all too well what happens after a team wins the cup in LA. Win game 7. Parade. How about those Dodgers? Win the cup in Edmonton and you are talked about at every Tim Hortons and dinner table for the rest of the year. Maybe ever? What else is to look forward to, The Trappers? Win several cups, you're a legend. Ask the next person you see in Anaheim, "Who is Colin Fraser?". You'll probably get someone sprinting to the nearest Neimans thinking he's the next designer of the "it" handbag. Ask the same question in Edmonton, you'll get a much different answer. That's the difference. But I applaud your support of the sport.

The game is "business". It does suck that the Ducks got squat for that pick. I, for the record, would be hacked off too. But if you could name the place you went in the NHL, would you risk being traded to Columbus or Nashville. That does not look like a great business plan to me. Should he apologize for playing the "business" better than most?

The lockout did show what was important to players and owners, you're right. Tough when it doesn't go your way. Thats what we're all upset about. Players dont care about fans and such. Edmonton is well accustomed to it. I suggest other cities do the same.

But your last point is still the worst. It may be human nature, but is there a worse "business" decision on what to do with your career? That's why we like the kid. He could have gone anywhere, and chose to play in a hockey town closer to home in spite of all the hormones raging inside of him. The Ducks had years to sign this guy and Schultz saw the lack of commitment. They dragged their feet on trying to make a good business decision and screwed it up in the process. The kid turned into a star and held all the cards. Tough business. We're just happy it went our way one time. We're about 1 for the last 10 years. I think we were due. And are still.