Bad penalties, a couple power play goals, nothing 5-on-5, 5-on-3 chance, just enough goals to win. The Honda Center was rocking and game one was a damn good matchup. I was suprised to see how good the Senators were, but it wasn’t enough to win on this night.
The Ducks had seven penalties, one or two weren’t all that bad, but some were just plain stupid. Getzlaf’s cross-checking penalty that helped the Senators get the lead was plain useless. He got away with all of them except the last one, but he kept pounding away and that is what happens. The Jackman “clothesline” on Comrie was a stupid penalty as well, but Mike sure went limp pretty easily. And how about that 5-on-3? They sure make it interesting huh?
The Ducks shutdown line erased “those three” guys from the stats, only Alfredson had a point. They were also held without a shot in the first period, despite the first five to seven minute flurry by the Senators. Out scored them by one point and had a -3 to +3 +/- ratio, that isn’t a good stat.
For the Ducks goals, they were created by a turnover, a quick transition game from the Ducks defense and hard work down low with bad slot coverage. Drew Miller created the first goal with a great hit on Redden as he tried to chip the puck over Selanne who gloves the puck and gets it to McDonald for the quick wrist shot. Ric Jackman moved the puck up to Perry at the blueline who hit a gliding Getzlaf and squeked a weak backhander through Emery’s legs. (Why wasn’t he down?) Then the game winner from Travis Moen, from Rob Niedermayer from behind the net, skipping even.
Ottawa was by far the most physical team the Ducks have faced in the playoffs, but it was really only in the first period. The Ducks did the same thing and wore the Senators down as the game went to the third, very visible as Alfredsson and company kept fumbling the puck later in the game. This is what every game will look like for the Senators, the Ducks wont change their style no matter what the situation is and finishing checks is one of their keys
The PPG line was as advertised in this game, proving to be too much for Ottawa down low and the fourth line was as good as any line for the Ducks and played the best game of the season perhaps, Brad May actually contributed! Ryan Getzlaf is primed to take off in this series, he looks like he wants to shine on the brightest stage and boy do I hope he does.
As I said in one of my comments, I don’t think Anaheim has played its best yet. Tonight was one of their best all around games all year long, every line played great and gave the other team fits. There were only a couple shifts that looked bland and not very physical. Mainly the play of Teemu Selanne who had some odd choices of shots and pressure, but even he played pretty good over all. Once the Ducks can figure out how to slow down the Senators power play, much like they did for Detroit, then we can see how well Ottawa can play with some adversity. There were positives for Ottawa, but when your team combines for a -15 +/-, you have to be worried down the line. Not one Ottawa player was a plus and not one Ducks player was a minus. Can’t wait for Wednesday.
And can’t wait for the excuses…
Yay!!!! All I have to say is……yay!!!! I feel bad for the Senators since one of the two goals they got was made by mistake. Oh well. Better luck next time.
I swear I can’t wait to watch the game at your place Dan, watching the game with my dad is just a nightmare, every little thing he can nit-pick about the Ducks he will, I don’t understand how he calls himself a fan…I can’t wait to watch the game with people who are actually happy to watch THE DUCKS play!!!!
So Wednesday then, looking forward to another exciting game in what looks like a great series!
GO DUCKS!!
I just want to watch it on your TV…I will bring Tequila
No excuses. The Sens were nowhere near the better team on this night but they still almost stole it. It probably should have been a 6-2 game. I’ll take your word that this was one of the Ducks best games because I have no idea. This was, by far, the Sens worst playoff performance this year.
Now what did I tell you about the PK strategy of taking a 2nd penalty immediately after the first? That was a cover-your-eyes-awful 5 on 3. I’m starting to think the Sens should take a cheap hooking penalty to force a 4 on 3.
I suspect Game 2 will bring a much quicker, more crisp Sens team and Giguere will be seeing far more rubber.
Volchenkov is a maniac and has balls, when he took a point shot off the outside of his knee, I figured it was pretty bruised, but he shook it off and asked for more. I do believe Ottawa will adjust and get more shots, but more of the same from the outside. I get scared every time they get control and swing a puck to the point, that seems to be a weakness of the Ducks. They don’t always block the point shots and allow them to be directed right at the net, like goal #2.
Both teams had too much time off so rust was either a factor for both or for none, that is a washed argument. The only good from that was maybe the Ducks can get Kunitz back for a game or two.