The Ducks played a gritty game Sunday night en route to a 5-3 win over Nashville in game two of the Western Conference Finals. It was another display of heart and determination from the “Men in Black… to tie the best-of-seven series at one win each.
Obviously, Ducks center Ryan Kesler has gotten into the head of Nashville star forward Ryan Johansen. After game two, Johansen had some not nice things to say about RK17, including gems like:
“I don't know how you can cheer for a guy like that;… and “"He doesn't do anything that makes sense.…
Although Kesler has responded himself, I have to point Mr. Johansen to a good quote from the movie Beyond the Sea. “He may be an asshole...but, he's our asshole.…
Shaky?
John Gibson's recent play is perplexing. On the one hand, he has been money during crunch time. When the Ducks need him to make a big save in a critical situation, he has answered the call. On the other hand, he has start recent games very poorly. Over his last four opening periods played, Gibson has allowed seven goals in 68:25 of action; which includes getting the hook less than nine minutes into game six against Edmonton last week. The Ducks need better starts from their number one goaltender. They can't expect to rally back every game.
The Bridge
I lived in the Nashville area for eight years and have been to many games at the GEC/Nashville Arena/Sommet Center/Bridgestone Arena. Anyone who takes the Preds fanbase for granted is foolish. Bridgestone Arena is one of the most rocking buildings I have ever been in. From the National Anthem through final buzzer that “joint is jumpin.… The loudest and rowdiest of them all is Cellblock 303. They have had me ROFL plenty of times. The Ducks have may have hit the trifecta in terms of tough arenas to play post-season road games in Calgary, Edmonton and now Nashville.
As an aside, when you hear the Nashville fans say “Thanks Paul… after the one minute to play announcement, the are talking to PA announcer and Hockeybuzz columnist Paul McCann.
Ducks @ Nashville: Round 3, Game 3
Game three's are always pivotal in playoff series. Either one team takes a commanding series lead or at the least gains a 2-1 advantage. The Ducks are talking like they are ready for tonight. Left Wing Andrew Cogliano told the media this morning, "Tonight is one of those games you get up for.…
There are no expected personnel changes tonight from the game two squad that took the ice for Anaheim. One thing to watch for on the Ducks side, is that coach Randy Carlyle has not been shy about interchanging Nick Ritchie and Rickard Rakell as left wings on the first and third lines.
Forwards Ritchie-Getzlaf-Perry Cogliano-Kesler-Silfverberg Rakell-Vermette-Kase Wagner-Thompson-Boll
Defensemen Fowler-Vatanen Lindholm-Montour Theodore-Manson
Goalies Gibson Bernier