Time to be Bold
I have to clarify a few things from yesterday's blog, because I think there was some misunderstanding. I was trying to be subtle, but its time to be straight forward. There was a reason why I wrote that John Gibson should get a start to shake off some rust. The Ducks will dominate Calgary in this series, similar to the beat down they handed Winnipeg. At this time, I don't see this one going past game six. If the Ducks are ahead, why not get Gibson a start, they might need him against the Chicago-Minnesota winner.
If you think I have confidence in the Ducks, check out the series betting line. Anaheim is -230 or 5/11 to win the series at bodog.com. That means to win $100, a better would need to put up $230. For comparison, the Rangers are -165, Blackhawks -135; and there is no betting favorite for Tampa-Montreal.
I don't take the Flames lightly either. Their style of play is fun to watch and they can wear out an opposing team with their speed. I have been on Flame bandwagon for months, saying they were a legitimate playoff team. Unfortunately for Calgary, this is where the “Peter Principle… kicks in for them. If everything stays the same this series personnel wise, they aren't good enough right now to beat the Ducks in a best of seven.
Game 1 Flames at Ducks
The biggest concern among the Duck faithful is how well the team perform after an eight day layoff. One person who isn't worried is right wing Corey Perry. When asked about the amount of time between games, he told the LA Times, "We did it at the end of the season. We had a lot of days. I think we only had one game the last week, the last week and a half. It's kind of the same thing. You've got to go out and get ready, get prepared to play hockey."
Cam Fowler also believes the Ducks are good to go. “Bruce did a great job preparing us, but not putting us through too much where we’d be tired heading into this series,… he said when asked by Ducks.com
Nate Thompson is back after missing the entire Winnipeg series with an injury. His return to the lineup looks like it will be the only big change for Bruce Boudreau from the team he fielded in Winnipeg last Wednesday. The other change is minor as Gibson replaces Jason LaBarbera to become the guy with the best seat in the house to watch Freddie Andersen.
Based on recent practice combos, the Ducks will use this lineup tonight at The Pond:
Forwards Maroon-Getzlaf-Perry Cogliano-Kesler-Silfverberg Beleskey-Rakell-Palmieri Etem-Thompson-Jackman
Defensemen Lindholm-Beauchemin Fowler-Despres Stoner-Vatanen
Goalies Frederik Andersen John Gibson
FWIW
For what its worth, this is how I see the other three series shaking out.
Rangers over Caps in 6 Canadiens over Lightning in 7 Wild over Blackhawks in 7