The Anaheim Ducks (44-16-7) used a franchise record six goals in the second period to defeat the Colorado Avalanche last night at the Pepsi Center.
While the Ducks played a far from perfect game, it was a nice response to the beat down they received in Calgary a few nights ago. I'm hoping Anaheim can build off of that as they visit the L.A. Kings tonight at Staples Center.
Some notes from the 6-4 victory last night...
- Ducks rallied from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits to earn the win. It was nice to see them keep their composure and fight back.
- The second period was nuts. The Ducks scored six goals and Colorado added three more as the teams combined for nine goals on 33 shots. The final two minutes of the period had three goals alone. I think it may be some time before we see another period of hockey like that.
- Corey Perry scored his 36th goal of the season which led to this little exchange between the OC Registers Eric Stephens and I on twitter...
Perry has 36 goals. Is 50 within reach?
— Steve Palumbo (@StevePalumboHTW) March 15, 2014@icemancometh Haha! Hey you never know. Perry is streaky.
— Steve Palumbo (@StevePalumboHTW) March 15, 2014@StevePalumboHTW He can do that. But 40-45 ain't bad.
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) March 15, 2014- This was a physical game. The teams combined for 48 penalty minutes, a match penalty and couple of game misconducts. The game was so heated at one point it prompted Perry to stand up and check the stability of the glass between the two benches. If you'll recall, Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy nearly knocked it down the last time these two clubs met in Denver, a 6-1 Avs win.
- San Jose won earlier in the evening to jump ahead of the Ducks in the standing, but the win keeps Anaheim in first by virtue of a game in hand.
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Now we have to turn our attention to tonight's foe, the Kings (38-32-6).
The Ducks beat L.A. 3-0 in the out game held at Dodgers Stadium the last time the fierce rivals met. It was also the last time the Ducks or Jonas Hiller really had a solid game from start to finish.
The Kings have been playing great hockey lately, but will almost assuredly finish third in the Pacific. They had their season-long eight game win streak snapped the other night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Kings jumped out to a 2-0 lead before the Leafs rallied to win they game.
The Leafs went 2-1 on their California road trip. The beat Anaheim and L.A. and fell to San Jose.
This Kings haven't played since then and should be rested, while the Ducks flew back to California last night after player a physically and mentally exhausting game.
With that said, Anaheim needs these two points. This is their game-in-hand with San Jose and they really must convert it into two points. Beat their fiercest rival and Anaheim can find themselves with a two game winning streak before heading home to face the Washington Caps.
The Ducks need to tighten up the D and keep a close eye on Anze Kopitar. The Kings' star has 13 p(o)ints in his last 10 games.
Thanks for reading!
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