Game #80

Calgary Flames @ Anaheim Ducks

Tuesday April 4th, 2017, 7 PM PST

Honda Center

TV: PRIME

Radio: anaheimducks.com

Your Enemy: Matchsticks & Gasoline

After another blown third period lead it looked like recent history was repeating itself. However, thanks to a late Shaw goal, the Ducks got a much needed two points. The final road trip had its late game and overtime frustrations, as Anaheim went 2-0-2 through the Western Conference of Canada. Now the scenery changes from Calgary to sunny Southern California, as these two playoff bound clubs finish the season series.

With the battle for the Pacific coming down to the wire, every point means the world. It is of no secret that this could be a playoff opponent in a week, and it is an intriguing matchup. Since Calgary’s ten game winning streak, they’ve gone a mediocre 5-5. As for the Ducks, despite struggles to close out games they are on an eleven game point streak.

In speaking of streaks, Anaheim has defeated the Flames in 26 straight regular season games at home (knock on wood). That dates back to 2004, back when Trump couldn't tweet everything he thought because there was no twitter. It’s interesting to note that twelve of those games have been only a one goal difference.

We should expect the same goal differential as those twelve games since this game should have another playoff feel to it. Johnny Gaudreau is hot, with seven points in just five games. Another hot Flame is Sean Monahan, with three goals and four assists in the same span of five games. He didn’t grab a point Sunday though, but Kris Versteeg did. He notched two goals for Calgary Sunday night, at the expense of the Ducks taking penalties.

On the other side of special teams for Anaheim, the power play has finally started to do something. It’s in a large thanks to Patrick Eaves, who has seven goals in the last eight games. His last goal was Sunday, and it was the 30th of the season for Major Eaves. Captain Getzlaf remains a force to be reckoned with, and as long as he’s not blowing tires in overtime he has been dominant.

It will be interesting to see who RC decides to put in goal. It would be tough to not start John Gibson after his stellar performance in Edmonton. No one thought there would be controversy between Jonathan Bernier and Gibby starting in the postseason, but it is a great problem to have. Regardless of who starts, Let’s Go Ducks.