My thought on tonight’s game is that the Ducks will come out and pound Vancouver like they did in game one. Why? To put a stamp on it and let the Canucks know exactly who the better team is. To let the next opponent know they are not really a weak team that can’t finish. To show themselves that if they want, they can run the table on anyone they see fit. From Ryan Getzlaf’s obvious cocky swagger, to Chris Pronger’s physical dominance, to the two goalies who can out duel anyone in the league. This team reminds me of how the Yankees think they are just the most badass team in the league. But they do it without making complete asses out of themselves, still preaching team play and 60 minutes.

Here is an honest question you should ask yourself, as long as you have seen a couple Ducks games this season. Can any team play its best 60 minutes and win if the Ducks also play their best 60 minutes? Top to bottom, I do not think it is possible.

Anaheim has three wonderful forward lines and a fourth that Randy Carlyle throws out when he is bored and wants his boys to go down a man, just for a PK refresh. Defense…Well, I think the Norris nominations sum that up. Pronger and Neidermayer have great complimentary wing men in O’Donnell and Beauchemin to boot. Kent Huskins and Joe DiPenta look shaky at times, I will admit that, but they don’t play enough to really hurt the outcome of a full game. Alain Vigneault is smart though, he tries to get his gunners out on the ice when Huskins and DiPenta are out, but that obviously isn’t winning them very many games.

When Vancouver steps on the ice tonight, it will be the last time they do so this season. Watch for a determined team that wants to get its star right winger a rest. A team that wants to get Ric Jackman and Todd Marchant back in to the lineup to add even more depth and make that fourth line worth a damn. Watch as this team comes together like they want to actually win this game. Look out Canucks, just ask the Minnesota Wild what happens on elimination day.