The Anaheim Ducks flexed their muscle in Game One of the Stanley Cup Finals, and it proved the difference as they came from behind to defeat the Ottawa Senators 3-2 to go up 1-0 in the series.
The Sens did play well at times in Game One, notably in the first half of the first period and most of the second, but they were outworked and outmuscled in the third, which the Ducks dominated and scoring two unanswered goals to win it.
There’ll be talk about how the nine-day layoff affected the Senators skating, and it’s a valid point. It’ll be interesting to see how the Senators play now that they’ve gotten the game rust shaken off.
That being said, the physical style that served the Ducks so well in their march to the Finals was on full display in this one, and they deserve full marks for maintaining their poise and their game plan in this one. The Senators were unable to play with the lead in the third, as the Ducks simply wore them down with their physical forechecking.
This is something the Sens haven’t encountered yet in this year’s playoffs and they’ll have to find a way to adjust, the best way being to match their physical play as the Red Wings did. However, the Sens are known for their speed so it may be asking too much to change their style of play now.
The Senators top line also didn’t really get anything going in this one. Yes, Alfredsson and Spezza got assists on Redden’s goal, but otherwise that line was a non-factor. At even strength the Sens just couldn’t get anything going against the Ducks defense.
At least Ray Emery played a good game for Ottawa, otherwise this one might’ve ended 6-2.
Still, a couple of niggling points for the Ducks. First, their defense continues to be burned by speed, as five of their seven penalties in Game One were drawn by their defencemen. Second, they’re still struggling with their special teams, struggling to cash in on the PP and on their penalty kill. Against a team like the Senators, that can be lethal. Third, they’ve got to stop taking too many bad penalties. Five of those seven penalties in Game One were undisciplined and there’s no excuse for that type of play at this time of the year.
Otherwise, a very good effort by the Ducks in neutralizing Ottawa’s speed game, shutting down the Sens top line and creating havoc within Ottawa’s zone.
yeah ... this kind of went the way I expected it to. YOu know ... before the Canucks series I predicted Anaheim would win but it would be close. I said the factors (beyond Luongo) that would allow the canucks to stay in it would be that the Canucks defence was bigger and deeper and more rugged than Minnesotas ... and that the three line four defence rotation of the ducks would wear out ...
Now people are saying the same thing about this series. The Ottawa defence was 'rugged' and 'deep' - and can better handle the hitting, fore check ... and awesome cycle of the Getzlaf line.
I didn't see any sign of that ... if Phillips, Redden, Schubert, Preissing, Corvo, Meszaros, Volchenkov are more rugged than Mitchell, Bieksa, Ohlund, Salo, Sopel, and Fitzgerald (Krajicek is a bit soft) then it is not by much. By the end of the game they were choking up the puck just as much as the Canucks D did.
The real challenge that Ottawa has to present to the Ducks ... that the Canucks couldn't ... is speed and skill on offense. And there wasn't much of that at all because their one line was shut down completely five on five. If they can't free them up then the Sens are toast.
Like I said, because Anahiem can hit Ottawa back this will limit the Sens opportunities to get in shot lanes and block shots. Thus turning it into a goalie duel and I don't think anyone in their right mind is taking Emery over Giguere.
I think the first goal is indicative of what muscle can do for you. A big hit causes a turnover by Ottawa's D-man and it basically sets up a 2-on-1 and we all know the rest.
Ryan Miller was in attendance to cheer on his brother, who caused that first turnover for the Ducks, and you could just tell that he was aching to be out there.
Well deserve win by the Ducks. If we would've won, it would have been the steal of the century because Anaheim out hustled, out played, out hit, and had a better all around game. I hope that Murray wake up the boys because it was their worst game thus far in the playoffs. Murray needs to practice the PP because whenever you get a 5 on 3, you absolutely need to score.
One more point about Emery. Although he did make some big stops in the third to keep the game close, the 2nd goal by Getzlaf was a terrible goal. He looked very bad on that play.
I doubt that the Sens can take this punishment, you look at the teams they faced before and they weren't very physical. the Ducks are playing them like how teams would play the Sens in previous playoffs, by beating them up and watching them choke
cymru: Yes, that was an upset as most expected Binns would get a fourth mandate heading into this election. Nobody was upset with Binns or anything, but rather it seems that after 11 years folks wanted a change.
I don't know Lyle, I think you should reconsider. While I admit that politics is rougher than the new hockey we are forced to watch, you are the man for the job. I bet the other thread stringers agree with me. [LYLE FOR NHL PRESIDENT]
Cobra
THe Sens top line has scored 48 percent of there goals this post season. there is no way to shut them down. The Ducks Contained them at 5 on 5.
Ottawa is showing how weak the East actually was when it comes to physical teams. The Ducks are way more physical and showed that.
The Shut down line of the Ducks was a plus 14 going into the finals. The Sens 3rd line can not match the scoring of the Ducks 3rd line.
Everyone keeps saying how the Sens roll 4 lines. After looking at total Ice time for each game of the playoffs. The Avarage 4th line Ottawa player plays 6 mins 12 seconds. And for the Ducks its 5:58.
So I feel thats now a non Arguement. But as Brad May and Andrew Miller showed last night. A player can still contrubite only playing a short time.
I will say though... it's wierd how the west have the most phyiscal teams in hockey now. Just a few years ago the west had the speed and the east had the big ####ers.
Well the Ducks at home are a nightmarish matchup for the Sens. A team that rolls four physical lines and a team with two all-world defensemen. With last change on home ice Spezza/Heatley/Alfie are in BIG trouble.
Every sens fan is anticipating a breakout performance by these three in game two but wow, going against a selke candidate and two of the best defensemen in the game every shift is tough. I will be suprised to see the Sens win game 2, just because of last change.
On home ice however, the Sens have last change forcing the Ducks to split Scott and Pronger up. Sens should be able to capitalize on this and give the Ducks trouble in games 3/4.
Even still, the Ducks are going to grind this out thanks to better goaltending and defense. Not to mention I think Getzlaf's line will significantly outplay the Sens second line.
Those Eastern Conference roughnecks from a few years ago consisted largely of two teams: Philly and New Jersey, who both liked to fill their rosters with giants. The rest of the East, if I remember correctly, was pretty average in overall size like they are now.
I thought the Stars of the late 90's/ early 00's were pretty hard-nosed and big.
TKF-I just did a list in my head of Euro-stars and its pretty even between the East and the West. I just did it of the 8 teams from each conference that made the playoffs.
Yes, pretty close indeed. Anaheim, I guess, seems bigger due to the hit-first style they play. I still think Ottawa will win because Anaheim can't transform themselves overnight into a team with restraint. Penalties will kill them in the end, unless Ray Emery turns into a complete rummy. I don't think that will happen but he bears watching after Game 1.
Sensfan-I did the same thing you did for Buffalo and it was very close, the only guy who was dwarfed was Danny Briere. And we all saw what Ottawa did to my Sabres so I don't think those things are the best to go by!
Gotta be careful with that old European stereotype. I say this only because, 2 games in, the best skater in the finals has been the Ducks' hard-charging Swede Sami Pahlsson.
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
