Game 4: Big Mo
Turning the Tide
The Ducks pulled out a big win Tuesday night. They came out of the chute playing hard, smart hockey. The controlled the puck and more importantly they controlled themselves. Goalie Frederik Andersen said the Ducks prepared for the game with a businesslike mentality. Anaheim will have to repeat themselves tonight in order to send the series back to the Honda Center tied 2-2.
I have a theory as to why the Ducks dropped the opening two games before turning it around. Hockey players are tough lot (see next section). Key players David Perron and Rickard Rakell, who represent a third of the Ducks top six forwards, saw their first game action in weeks. They weren't a) 100% fit and b) in sync with their linemates. Both players were better in game three after they had more time to adjust and heal. The Physics of Freddie
Hats (or Helmets) off to Andersen for his performance in game 3. Not only did he “pitch… a shutout, but he came up with big saves at key times. Something he hasn't done consistently in playoff games past. Additionally, he survived a Shea Weber slapshot to the mask in the second period.
I did some research to put that play in perspective. I'm not a physicist, but I understand the basic concepts. After wading through a plethora of mathematical equations and videos explaining the mechanics of a slapshot, I found what I was looking for (or at least close to it).
Remember the famous Rocky IV training montage when they showed how hard Ivan Drago could hit? At one point he registered a punch at 2150 pounds per square inch (ppsi). That's not realistic. In a real study, former heavyweight champion Frank Bruno was measured at 1400 ppsi. Mike Tyson was estimated to throw a right hook at around 1700 ppsi. I couldn't find a hockey equivalent, but I did find a baseball one. A 100 mph fast ball hits an object with approximately 2400 ppsi.
Shea Weber's slap shot is roughly 100mph, but on impact a baseball has some give, a hard rubber puck does not. To sum it up, Andresen took a shot to the head at 133% of a Mike Tyson right. Even with state of the art hockey equipment, its enough to ring anyone's bell. He didn't leave the game or visit the trainer. Instead the refs gave him a minute to collect himself and Andersen carried on. It was a rallying point for the Ducks.
Game 4: Ducks at Nashville
This one can be the momentum turner. Bruce Boudreau juggled his lines last time out and they worked. He is likely to use the same lineup tonight. The only possible exception is Josh Manson; if he can play, he would sub in for Shea Theodore. Here is your lineup:
Forwards Garbutt-Getzlaf-Stewart Perron-Rakell-Perry Cogliano-Kesler-Silfverberg McGinn-Thompson-Horcoff
Defense Fowler-Despres Lindholm-Bieksa Theodore/Manson-Vatanen
Goalies Andersen Gibson