Ducks/Jets Game 2 Preview: Protect the Pond

What We Learned From Game 1:

This series is already turning out to be exactly as advertised in the physical department. A total of 83 hits were dished out between the two teams on Thursday night, with Mark Stuart dealing eight for the Jets, while the Ducks were paced by little sparkplug Andrew Cogliano, who threw six hits with his 5'10", 184 pound frame. Anaheim held the slight team edge, with 55% of the 83 hits coming from black and orange jerseys. Not included in the count is Blake Wheeler's run at Clayton Stoner after the final horn sounded, but it did make for an excellent cliffhanger heading into Game 2.

The Jets were presumably well aware of their difficult task of keeping Anaheim's top line in check, lest Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry wreak havoc on the scoresheet, and they still failed to do so. The Twins combined for seven points last night, and were paramount in the Ducks' third-period comeback while providing a great argument as to why their on-ice success is a huge component of the motor that makes the Anaheim offense run. It should be interesting to see how Perry and Getzlaf's production continues throughout the series now that the two of them have Winnipeg's undivided attention.

What Needs to Change From Last Game:

The second period last night wasn't too bad by Ducks standards, but it still allowed Winnipeg many chances at extending their lead. The Jets were the recipients of a handful of odd-man rushes due to players caught out of position during the visitors' transition game (not to mention that Jacob Trouba chance in the waning seconds of the first). Although they only cashed in on one.  Don't forget about the post that Wheeler hit amidst that chaos, which could have changed the game drastically. It's been the story of Anaheim Ducks hockey all season, but it's so very important to piece together a quality effort for the full 60 minutes, even more so in the postseason.

Game Notes:

There was a lot of buzz surrounding this series in terms of advanced statistics, and most notably, how Winnipeg could very well pull a first-round upset due to those numbers. The Ducks flipped the script on such a notion in Game 1 (as far as Corsi goes, at least), and although their lopsided advantage in said category is likely not sustainable, it definitely wasn't a bad way to kick off a playoff series. If you haven't yet, take a look at the charts that tell this story and a few additional points of interest via Kid Ish's Playoffmetric here.

Ken Wiebe also had some noteworthy information that he posted on Twitter yesterday.

Mathieu Perreault is among the group of #NHLJets taking part in optional skate this morning at Honda Center pic.twitter.com/jPKzfeyWgs

— Ken Wiebe (@WiebeSunSports) April 17, 2015

He then proceeded to say that Paul Maurice didn't know at the time if Perreault would be ready for Game 2, so he'll likely be a game time decision. At any rate, it looks like MP85 is on track to make his return at some point during this series.

Bruce, as always, played coy about his lineup when talking to reporters after yesterday's practice, so time will tell if James Wisniewski, Jiri Sekac, and Tomas Fleischmann draw back into the lineup tonight.

Fearless Prediction:

Seeing as how this is now arguably the ideal combination of pumping up Ducks fans and intimidating the opposition/scaring little children, this reaction will be shown in the pregame intro video and/or any intensely critical "GET LOUD FANS" moments in the game. And it will work.

man who bathed in cheetos celebrates intensely pic.twitter.com/0Lf4rpFGPT

— Stephanie Vail (@myregularface) April 17, 2015