Maybe this edition of the Ducks should be known as the “Cardiac Kids.… I'm sure there have been a measurable increase in miocardial infarctions all over Southern California when they play. Monday was another example of how the Ducks almost put their fans into cardiac arrest. They played another lackluster second period in which Winnipeg scored three goals to put them behind the eight ball 4-3. An equalizing goal didn't happen until 2:14 remained in regulation time when Ryan Kesler scored his first goal of the series. The rest is history, Rickard Rakell's goal in overtime gave Anaheim the win and a three games to none advantage in the series.
On a personal note, I am amused with the Jets fans treatment of Corey Perry and Ryan Kesler. Its almost WWE-like the way they boo the two Ducks forwards. If it wasn't so funny, it would border on rude, but when was the last time you saw the term “rude Canadian… in a sentence. It isn't possible for our neighbors to the north to be inhospitable.
Game 4 – Ducks at Jets
Coach Bruce Boudreau is going with the same lineup he used Monday. The only change is a minor line shuffle. Andrew Cogliano and Jakob Silfverberg move up to the second line with Kesler while Matt Beleskey and Kyle Palmieri flank Rakell on the third line.
It has to be disappointing for players like Jiri Sekac and James Wisniewski to sit in the press box all series. They should be playing more in the next series as Calgary and Vancouver have a more “skater friendly… style than Winnipeg. Here is tonight’s expected lineup:
Forwards Maroon-Getzlaf-Perry Cogliano-Kesler-Silfverberg Beleskey-Rakell-Palmieri Etem-Fleischmann-Jackman
Defensemen Lindholm-Beauchemin Fowler-Despres Stoner-Vatanen
Goalies Frederik Andersen Jason LaBarbera
-Ed