Matchmaker, Matchmaker

by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Apr 9, 2011 1:37 PM PDT in Pardon the InterDUCKtion

DANIEL:
The Ducks have secured a playoff spot, but for the last game of the season, that also punches their ticket in the race for fourth place. It's so wide open right now that the Ducks could end up playing a handful of any of the Western Conference's postseason hopefuls.

So, Arthur, looking at the potential matchups, which team are you most afraid to see Anaheim play in the first round?

ARTHUR:
I don't know if there's a team that I'm truly afraid of. There are ways to explain away virtually every team on the list. You can say Detroit has slumped. You can say Vancouver hasn't been playing playoff race hockey to end its season, and the Ducks have played a majority of one goal games against the West powerhouse.

But, I suppose, the fear for me is finishing 8th, and having the road to travel be so much harder because of it. So, I'm afraid of a situation where the Ducks would have to knock off the Canucks then every higher seed with home ice advantage in succession.

DANIEL:
The team I'm most afraid of in the playoffs is the Nashville Predators. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there's something about the way they play that bothers me. The Ducks were 1-3-0 against the Preds this year. Among the playoff teams, that's tied with Detroit for the least amount of points claimed in a season series.

The reason why I fear Nashville more than Detroit is that you can't grind down the Preds. Ducks-Wings is a legitimate rivalry. In a rivalry, you never know what can happen. But the Preds just don't make a lot of mistakes. They move the puck very well. Pekka Rinne is having a fantastic year, and would probably be my choice for the Vezina. You know, if I was important enough to vote. All of it adds up to some games that were very frustrating for the Ducks.

Nashville is one of the best coached teams in the league. The best way to beat them is usually with a finesse game, think Detroit or Vancouver. That's not really the Ducks game. Do we have players with skill? Sure, but we usually want to get down into dirty areas and pound out a couple of goals. The Ducks like to win with ugly goals; Nashville doesn't give those up easily. There's something about this team that the Ducks just seem to have trouble solving. If I was forced to pick a team I'd like to avoid, it would have to be Nashville.

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Comments

Nashville or Phoenix

I don’t want to see Bryz or Rinne.

I got a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell

by Natesaduck on Apr 9, 2011 1:54 PM PDT reply actions

Im am ok with going against Bryz. Nashville is a team that will keep me up at night. They look damn good this year.

by Newport Rebel on Apr 9, 2011 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Ive said many times before that the scariest playoff teams are teams like the Flames/Ducks/Oilers from earlier this decade, that had upset the Wings. They’ve got goaltending, they play fantastic defense, and even if you do beat them, you’re going to pay dearly for it. They didn’t have a lot of scoring, but they didn’t need it. You’ll notice all three went to the Finals, in the year they upset Detroit.

I am super scared of Nashville, for that reason. I think Nashville fits that mold, and they can ride it an awful long way. And even if they come up short, they’re going to take their pound of flesh. As a Wings fan, I’d take any team but Nashville. Hell, if I’m any Western Conference team, I’m scared shitless of Nashville.

Harking back to our conversations after Pronger was traded, I think its disappointing that I don’t feel the same about the Ducks anymore. Remember, I blame the Ducks and the pound of flesh they took in 2009’s second round for the Wings running out of gas about 2 games too soon in the finals.

http://sacrificethebody.blogspot.com/
Sacrifice the Body - Examining the NHL through statistical analysis, reasoned thought, and blind conjecture.

by IAmJoe on Apr 9, 2011 2:12 PM PDT reply actions

All that said, as a fan of hockey in non-traditional markets, a fan of teams that do the most with what they’ve got, and a fan of competent coaching/management in a league rife with dumbasses, I really do want to see Nashville get a really good playoff run. I’d just prefer it didn’t come at Detroit’s expense.

http://sacrificethebody.blogspot.com/
Sacrifice the Body - Examining the NHL through statistical analysis, reasoned thought, and blind conjecture.

by IAmJoe on Apr 9, 2011 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm afraid of Detroit

People can point to their recent play all they want, but they have fucking owned us the past two seasons. We just don’t match-up well against them. And it’s beyond aggravating to watch the team get shut down by Howard and his playing a billion feet in front of the crease. It seems like he would be so damn easy to beat, but we never seem to be able to get that pass down low against him.

I want the Sharks in the first round. I hate Detroit, but Detroit scares me. I hate San Jose, and I think we scare them. In fact, I think we scare almost every team but Detroit and Nashville.

by PhantomPretender on Apr 9, 2011 2:17 PM PDT reply actions

Haha, this post and comments are scaring the bejeebus out of me! I missed most of the second half of the season (geez, it looks like it was a wild ride), so I can’t really say who I’m most worried about. I will say that I would LOVE to see a Sharks/Kings series in the first round, even though I’m not even sure that such a matchup is possible.

Also: Hello AC! I know it’s been awhile, but I hope you don’t mind if I hang out here while I procrastinate from finals and papers.

by g r a c e on Apr 9, 2011 3:00 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah you did miss out. This was a crazy second half and Perry’s run will be one to remember.

by Newport Rebel on Apr 9, 2011 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions

predators for sure

But the real question should be.. who would we most like to play in the first round? I honestly think that we’ll end up playing either san jose or detroit as the 6th seed.

by dkk on Apr 9, 2011 3:02 PM PDT reply actions

And do you think hiller gets the nod tonight or should the ducks be more focused on getting a higher seed?

by dkk on Apr 9, 2011 3:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Now that the Ducks have got their tickets to the dance, it would be a great time to put Hiller in. With Emery questionable, the Ducks need to test Hiller and see what he can do. Id rather test him out now then in game one of the playoffs.

by Newport Rebel on Apr 9, 2011 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Preds=DO.NOT.WANT.
Bring on the Nucks/Sharks/Wings!

by pearljamfan80 on Apr 9, 2011 3:12 PM PDT reply actions

GAA.

Vancouver and Nashville have the best goals against averages in the western conference so I would like to see the Ducks avoid them in the first round. I like their chances against Detroit or San Jose.

by Crabby on Apr 9, 2011 7:29 PM PDT reply actions

Pekka Rinne is having a fantastic year, and would probably be my choice for the Vezina.

It’s a real shame Thomas had to have a record setting year too (he set a new NHL record for highest Sv % in a season). Rinne deserves some attention.

Adam Larsson for Devil's Draftee 2011

by skly27 on Apr 10, 2011 5:43 AM PDT reply actions

Honestly, I just think Rinne does more with less. Thomas carried a light load this year compared to some of the other top goalies. I think that should be counted against him.

by Daniel AC on Apr 10, 2011 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions