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Round 2: (P1) Anaheim vs. (P3) Los Angeles

CarltonTheBear

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Staff member
anavsla.png
 
Anaheim vs Los Angeles.

The Anaheim Ducks prevailing over the Dallas Stars says little about how good this team is, but more about how troubled their puck possession game is. With stay-at-home defenceman. Stephane Robidas out with a fractured leg, Anaheim had plenty of defensive trouble in the end zone as it stood. 
What the Ducks do have and plenty of it, is upfront depth plus a solid netminder or two.

The L.A. Kings elimination of the San Jose Sharks was a textbook case of how a defence and stellar goalkeeping can frustrate the other team into submission.  While being outscored 13-5 I. The first three games of their opening round against the Sharks, L.A. turned the tables around, er, make that the scoreboard, outscoring the Sharks 18-5 in their historic four straight comeback. Add that a dosage of Jonathan's Quick-Ness and it all made foe a recipe for success, much to the consternation and puzzlement of San Jose's long-suffering fans.

Anyways, plethoras aside, this Kings/Ducks tilt may very well come down to which team executes better.  With a defence that is capable of both offensive and defensive strides and an offence that is capable enough, L.A. can't go wrong.  But, with much offensive depth that might overcome any defensive shortcomings on their part, Anaheim can't go wrong neither.

Somebody's got to win.  Let's watch to find out.

 
"It was awesome. Really, it was what you expect," Kings coach Darryl Sutter said. "It was a physical game. I think the crowd really responded to that."

It took 20 years in the making for these two teams to meet in a playoff matchup.  Great game!

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/follow-live-kings-vs-ducks-game-1/




 
L K said:
I wonder if Columbus regrets making that Gaborik trade?

I really never understood it. They didn't even get that great of a return for him.

I also wonder if St. Louis regrets not making a Gaborik or Vanek trade. I'm not sure how involved they were in those negotiations, but neither player was traded for much and the Blues could have really used a game-breaking talent like those guys.
 
In last night's 3-2 Anaheim win...(Kings lead series 2 games to 1).

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8ePyOLFj_4[/youtube]
 
GMillerTSN: My favourite headline of the day comes from the LA Times, referring to John Gibson's shutout for the Ducks: "Rook takes Kings".
 
Los Angeles 2  Anaheim 1.  Series tied at 3 games apiece.

Back to Anaheim Friday night for Game #7. 
Jonathan Quick and his L.A.Kings teammates made good on their promise to stave off elimination.

The Kings got off to an early 2-0 lead, solving the Ducks rookie netminder John Gibson, and playing their defensive game that stymied Anaheim enough to preserve the victory.

More here:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=452225
 
I'm not sure how to read this series. Game 7 could go either way, though the two other series that went 7 in the 2nd round had the road team come away with the win. Would rather see the Ducks win (not a big fan of any sort of shut down hockey), but will be rooting for the Hawks in the semis.
 
John Gibson and the Ducks imploded.  Down 6-2 with about 5 minutes left.  LA survives yet again.
 
So awesome of the Kings players to show their appreciation for Selanne who played his last game.
 
New York, LA and Chicago are the big 3 US TV markets. In Canada, Montreal is #2 after Toronto. Given how Canadians follow hockey, with a "token" Canadian team, the conference finals opponents have to be close to a dream ratings result for North American hockey broadcasting. Naturally, if our Leafs were playing in place of the Habs, that would be closer to ideal for the broadcasters and us.
 
I was sort of pulling for LA for some reason, but man, it's hard to see Selane go.  He's always been exciting to watch, and is a classy guy.

And what a reward for LA:  Congratulations, now you get to play the Blackhawks.
 

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