Anaheim Vs Vancouver

[digitalmonkey 929]

Sources: NHL.com and TSN.caThe Skinny Nobody that’s still standing has played as much playoff hockey this season than the Canucks, who emerged from a thrilling seven-game first-round win against the Dallas Stars. In total, the Canucks played seven games, plus six additional periods of overtime, essentially competing in the equivalent of nine games in the first round. That’s a lot of hockey, especially when you have a date with the fearsome Ducks to look forward to.Anaheim made quick work of the defensively sound Wild in the first round and continued to flash their deep scoring attack. They can put the puck in the net and they can play as big as anyone left in the tournament. Their forwards love to hit and as impressive as the Ducks are moving the puck around the rink, they’re just as happy to move opponents out of their way, too. The Ducks are mean and nasty and they’re on a mission, which could be a lot for the tired Canucks to deal with.Vancouver didn’t score much in the first round. But in the games they scored at least a goal, they came out on top, thanks to the play of Roberto Luongo in net. As good as Luongo was in the first round, he wasn’t the best goalie in that series. The second-round matchup with the tandem of Ilya Bryzgalov and J.S. Giguere might also be a classic. The Canucks let the Stars back into the series and were forced to go the distance in the first round. Could that lack of focus come back to hurt them? Anaheim DucksTeam Page | Roster | Stats Regular Season Record: 48-20-14, 110 ptsHead-to-Head Record: 3-1Last Stanley Cup Win: -Last Stanley Cup Final Appearance: 2003Last Postseason Appearance: 2006Players with Stanley Cup Rings: Scott Niedermayer (3).Team Analysis: Jacques Lemaire has long been known as a defensive specialist behind the bench, and Randy Carlyle welcomed his style of play with open arms throughout the first round. Playing, sound defensive hockey of their own, the Ducks hammered out three straight one-goal victories against the Wild and allowed just two power play goals in 27 chances. As with the early rounds last season, the Ducks got a lot of offence from the blueline. Chris Pronger leads all Ducks skaters in scoring with six points, while Francois Beauchemin and Scott Niedermayer have three points apiece. Up front, the Ducks' shutdown line of Samuel Pahlsson, Travis Moen and Rob Niedermayer haven't only been frustrating opposing forwards, but have made big contributions on offense with three points each. If Teemu Selanne, Corey Perry and Andy McDonald (who combined for three goals and two assists in Round 1) get going, they'll be even tougher to beat in the second round. Netminder Jean Sebastien Giguere (given time off to be with his wife and their son) was out for the final three games of the regular season and the first three games of the playoffs until he returned in the closing minutes of Game 4 and all of Game 5. Ilya Bryzgalov started in his place and held the Wild to a total of four goals in the opening three games before giving up all the goals in the loss at Minnesota. Giguere - who was excellent in Game 5 - should be back in regular duty in Round 2.Anaheim Game BreakersChris Pronger – He plays defense, as we all know. But Pronger was Anaheim’s leading scorer in the first round with two goals and six points in the one-sided series win against Minnesota. In addition to helping produce on the offensive end, Pronger was regularly seeing ice time (a team-high 28:27 per) against the opposition’s top scoring lines. In the first round against the Wild, Pronger helped put the clamps on an enemy attack that mustered only nine goals in the series.Scott Niedermayer – With three Cups on his resume and two of the quickest feet in the game, Niedermayer can literally change a game with a coast-to-coast rush from behind his own net. While Pronger brings the size and strength to the Anaheim blue line, Niedermayer brings loads of playoff experience, the ability to also take on the opponents’ top scoring threats, as well as quarterback the Ducks’ power play, which was the top-ranked unit in the postseason in the first round. Niedermayer was second on the team in ice time behind Pronger with 27:32 per game.Francois Beauchemin – You’re saying, ‘Where are all the forwards?’ But here’s the thing when it comes to the Ducks: they have plenty of forwards capable of breaking open a game. Few teams actually have three defensemen capable of doing it, and Beauchemin is probably the most underrated player in the League. Such is life playing behind two thoroughbreds like Pronger and Niedermayer, but the 26-year old Beauchemin has proven to be every bit as good as those two Norris-caliber defensemen. He plays one second less per game than Niedermayer at 27:31 per, suffered a cracked jaw in the first round and was still one of Anaheim’s best players with two goals and a plus-1 in the first round. In his first game back after the jaw injury, Beauchemin led all Ducks skaters with 28:32 of ice time. Vancouver CanucksTeam Page | Roster | StatsRegular Season Record: 49-26-7, 105 ptsHead-to-Head Record: 1-3Last Stanley Cup Win: -Last Stanley Cup Final Appearance: 1994Last Postseason Appearance: 2004Players with Stanley Cup Rings: None.Team Analysis: There are no ifs, ands or buts about what the Canucks need to survive the second round. This team needs to score goals, goals and more goals. Alain Vigneault's squad was blanked three times in the first round by Dallas, and it never looks good when high profile scorers like Markus Naslund and the Sedins are held off the scoresheet. After a seven-game set with the Stars, Trevor Linden, Mattias Ohlund, Taylor Pyatt, Bryan Smolinski and Henrik Sedin led all Vancouver skaters with two goals apiece - and two of those goals were empty netters. Bad offence also means a bad power play, and the Canucks have the worst among the advancing teams with just two goals. Though the forwards haven't been scoring, they have certainly boasted their share of blocked shots. And if a shot does get through, the saving grace has been Roberto Luongo. The Vezina Trophy hopeful has kept the Canucks in every game and was the big difference from a 2-0 deficit becoming an 8-0 deficit. All he needs is some added run support.Vancouver Game BreakersRoberto Luongo – Luongo was great in the first round, but you can make a fine argument that he was not better than Marty Turco, who shut out Vancouver three times in the series. But in the final, deciding game, Luongo was the man, stopping 19 of 20 shots with his season on the line. After allowing Dallas’ lone goal in the first period, he was unbeatable. The save he made on Stu Barnes midway through the third period of Game 7 stood up as the biggest one he made in the series, an example of how valuable he is to the Canucks. Now if they would just block a few more shots for him.Henrik Sedin – When the Canucks needed their stars most in Game 7, Sedin was one of those who admirably stepped up to fight off elimination. Sedin scored the tying goal in the second period against Dallas and then helped to set up Trevor Linden’s winner. A shifty playmaker, his brother, who has very similar DNA, led the Canucks with 36 goals in the regular season so he will be counted on to find the net more than he did in the first round when he scored two goals against Dallas in the defensive opening series.Taylor Pyatt – Some people used to call him Taylor “Quiet” because he never really said much, but his play in the playoffs has spoken volumes as he tied for the team lead with five points in the first round. It was Pyatt’s empty-net goal in Game 7 that iced the series for the Canucks. Scoring two goals and three assists in the first round was an accomplishment against a dominant Turco and Pyatt figures to attract plenty of attention from the Anaheim defense. X FactorsTeemu Selanne – The Ducks are among the deepest teams left in the tournament, which makes Selanne’s scoring output less important than ever. If he can’t get it done, the Ducks have plenty of shooters capable of putting the puck in the net. But when Selanne is in the zone, Anaheim is a better team by leaps and bounds. Still one of the dangerous shooters in the game, Selanne scored 48 goals in the regular season. But in the first round, Minnesota’s checkers held the Finnish Flash to one goal and two points in the series. Nobody wants to win a Cup in the room more than the 36-year old Selanne, so bank on him finding a groove as the tournament unfolds. Getting him going makes Anaheim that much more monstrous.Trevor Linden – Another senior citizen, by hockey standards, Linden is like a second captain in the Vancouver dressing room. With 119 playoff games under his belt, Linden’s experience and street smarts were invaluable with the series on the line against the Stars. He scored the game-winning goal (his second of the tournament) in Game 7 and finished the first round tied with Pyatt for the team scoring lead with five points. At 37-years-old, Linden may not have many more chances to play for the Stanley Cup either.SERIES SCHEDULEGM 1: Canucks @ DucksWed. 4/25 10 pm, VERSUS, CBC GM 2: Canucks @ DucksFri. 4/27 10 pm, VERSUS, CBC GM 3: Ducks @ CanucksSun. 4/29 8:00 pm, VERSUS, CBC GM 4: Ducks @ CanucksTue. 5/1 10 pm, VERSUS, CBC *GM 5: Canucks @ DucksThu. 5/3 9:00 pm, VERSUS, CBC *GM 6: Ducks @ CanucksSun. 5/6 8:00 pm, VERSUS, CBC *GM 7: Canucks @ DucksTue. 5/8 TBD VERSUS, CBC * if necessary- ALL TIMES EASTERN FIVE FAST FACTS 1. Thrice is nice -- Anaheim defenseman Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger have both won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman, but there’s a third Norris in the Ducks’ locker room. Head coach Randy Carlyle won the award in 1981.2. Puck stops here -- As good as Luongo was in the first round, finishing the seven-game series with a 1.41 GAA and a .950 save-percentage, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, the Conn Smythe Winner in 2003, holds a 0.87 GAA and a .968 save-percentage after seeing time in only two games.3. Two minutes for hooking -- Anaheim was the most-penalized team in the regular season, drawing 1,427 penalty minutes, an average of 17.8 minutes per game.4. Working overtime -- The longest game so far in the playoffs was played in Game 1 of the Vancouver-Dallas series, the Canucks picking up a 5-4 win in four overtimes. Vancouver defenseman Kevin Bieksa led the team with 54:27 of ice time, nearly a full regulation game.5. Recipe for success? -- Vancouver won every game they scored at least one goal in the first round. The three losses they suffered against the Stars were by shutout. QUOTABLE “I asked them right away when I could play. They told me not in Game 4, but I could probably play in Game 5. I was pretty excited about it.” – Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin recounts the conversation he had with trainers after a puck cracked his jaw in the first round against Minnesota“I know how much this city wanted this. For us, we wanted it just as bad. I’ve been here a long time. I understand; I understand the heartache.” – Trevor Linden after finally winning a series in seven games after two straight Game 7 losses on home ice the last two playoffs CRYSTAL BALL The Ducks will win if... they can get to Luongo. The Vancouver defense seems to let a lot get to their goalie and if the Ducks start crashing Luongo’s cage like the Stars did in the first round, you’re going to see a frustrated goaltender. Luongo took a swipe at some Stars in the first round when they got too close, and the Ducks seem like a team that loves to roll up their sleeves and get dirty. The Anaheim attack is deep and balanced and if they can keep Vancouver’s few snipers on the perimeter, it should be an easy advance for the Ducks. The Canucks will win if... they can skate with the Ducks and limit their scoring chances. Luongo is a spectacular goalie capable of snatching an entire series on his own, but the only way the Canucks survive this one is to get down, block more shots, clear the big Anaheim forwards from in front of their net and limit the opposition’s chances in transition. They also must stay out of the penalty box against the top-ranked Ducks power play. If they give Anaheim too many chances, this series will be over in a hurry.STATISTICAL KEYS- Anaheim ranked third in the league on the power play, with a 22.4% success rate. Vancouver ranked 18th at 17.2%. - Anaheim ranked fifth in the league in penalty killing, with an 85.1% success rate. Vancouver led the league at at 86.9%. - Samuel Pahlsson (181), Chris Kunitz (159) and Travis Moen (128) are the Ducks' leading hitters. - Matt Cooke (209), Kevin Bieksa (109) and Mattias Ohlund (106) are the Canucks' leading hitters. - Andy McDonald is the Ducks' top face-off man -- 55.4%. - Henrik Sedin is the Canucks' top face-off man -- 52.5%. - Anaheim's Teemu Selanne led the league with 25 power play goals. - Anaheim's Teemu Selanne tied for the league lead with 10 game-winning goals. - Anaheim's Scott Niedermayer ranked second in the league with 27:30 of ice time per game. - Anaheim's George Parros led the league with 18 major penalties this year. - Vancouver's Daniel Sedin led the league with four overtime winning goals. - Teemu Selanne led the Ducks with six points in four games against the Canucks this year. - Daniel Sedin led the Canucks with three points in four games against the Ducks this year. - Travis Moen and Sean O'Donnell led the Ducks with a plus-2 in Round One. - Trevor Linden led the Canucks with a plus-4 in Round One. - Chris Pronger led the Ducks with 28:28 of ice time per game in Round One. - Kevin Bieksa led the Canucks with 28:37 of ice time per game in Round One. - Anaheim's leaders in power play ice time (per game/regular season):Scott Niedermayer 5:50Chris Pronger 5:47Teemu Selanne 4:38Andy McDonald 4:19Chris Kunitz 4:02Ryan Getzlaf 3:22- Vancouver's leaders in power play ice time (per game/regular season):Daniel Sedin 4:23Henrik Sedin 4:23Mattias Ohlund 4:13Markus Naslund 3:59Kevin Bieksa 3:43Sami Salo 3:37- Anaheim's leaders in penalty killing ice time (per game/regular season):Samuel Pahlsson 4:28Scott Niedermayer 3:58Francois Beauchemin 3:58Chris Pronger 3:46Rob Niedermayer 3:44Sean O'Donnell 3:39- Vancouver's leaders in penalty killing ice time (per game/regular season):Willie Mitchell 4:57Ryan Kesler 3:42Kevin Bieksa 3:38Mattias Ohlund 3:29Alexandre Burrows 3:17Sami Salo 3:13My prediction:Anaheim Ducks in 5.

[Zach6668 513]

Cheerin for the hometown boy Taylor Pyatt.Was hopin he won the cup last year with Buffalo, as I knew someone who was gonna get me into his inevitable monster party, hopefully he can win it this year, and I can get in again, lol.

[fleung22 1]

Who did this analysis??They screwed up the Sedin brothers. Hank scored to tie and set-up last night's winner but it's Daniel that scored 36 goals in the regular season. I love nice and thorough predictions (serge)So it's the Mighty Ducks vs. the Tired Nucks eh? Screw dat!!

[digitalmonkey 929]

Who did this analysis??They screwed up the Sedin brothers. Hank scored to tie and set-up last night's winner but it's Daniel that scored 36 goals in the regular season. I love nice and thorough predictions (serge)So it's the Mighty Ducks vs. the Tired Nucks eh? Screw dat!!

The mistake was made by Nhl.com. LOLThe Canucks can't score and the Ducks can score more than Dallas. Luongo will need to stand on his head which I think he can but only enough to steal one game as Anaheim has a fairly decent goalie in their net. The only chance Vancouver has is if Anaheim takes numerous penalties and the Vancouver powerplay can get going.

[fleung22 1]

The mistake was made by Nhl.com. LOLThe Canucks can't score and the Ducks can score more than Dallas. Luongo will need to stand on his head which I think he can but only enough to steal one game as Anaheim has a fairly decent goalie in their net. The only chance Vancouver has is if Anaheim takes numerous penalties and the Vancouver powerplay can get going.

I respect your hockey knowledge but that's not Vancouver's "only chance"...people so quickly forget that the Nucks averaged over 3 goals per game since January. A fortnight doesn't make a whole team retarded. Given, we're in playoff time but lots of those reg season games were against elite teams and very important games.I love being in the underdog position. It makes victory oh so much sweeter.

[ajs510 122]

I love being in the underdog position. It makes victory oh so much sweeter.

And defeat oh so much easier to swallow?I get that the games aren't played on paper, but on paper this series is a total mismatch, #2 vs #3 seed aside. That being said, if the 'Nucks can take down Anaheim, my chances of winning Serge's pool will skyrocket. So...GO VANCOUVER!!!

[digitalmonkey 929]

I respect your hockey knowledge but that's not Vancouver's "only chance"...people so quickly forget that the Nucks averaged over 3 goals per game since January. A fortnight doesn't make a whole team retarded. Given, we're in playoff time but lots of those reg season games were against elite teams and very important games.I love being in the underdog position. It makes victory oh so much sweeter.

The Canucks averaged 2.65 goals per game over the regular season. In the playoffs teams tighten up defensively and goals are even harder to come by.Just out of curiosity what was Vancouver's PP% during that run since January when they were averaging over 3 goals per game?

[Fubar The Sperm 1]

The Canucks averaged 2.65 goals per game over the regular season. In the playoffs teams tighten up defensively and goals are even harder to come by.Just out of curiosity what was Vancouver's PP% during that run since January when they were averaging over 3 goals per game?

You said Dallas would win in 6 didn't you or was it 5? Just as long as you keep getting your Vancouver predictions wrong I'll be happy. With that being said I don't think Vancouver will win but I can hope.

[fleung22 1]

The Canucks averaged 2.65 goals per game over the regular season. In the playoffs teams tighten up defensively and goals are even harder to come by.Just out of curiosity what was Vancouver's PP% during that run since January when they were averaging over 3 goals per game?

hmm...I dunno the PP% but if I had to make an educated guess I'd say somewhere between pretty bad to terrible. That's kind've why I didn't agree with the "only chance" statement because PP has not been a big part of their success in 2006-2007. Good even strength numbers and the league's best PK have been the keys.

[serge 904]

This is no contest....Look for Anaheim to exploit Vancouver in all aspects of the game...Anaheim in 5

[digitalmonkey 929]

You said Dallas would win in 6 didn't you or was it 5? Just as long as you keep getting your Vancouver predictions wrong I'll be happy. With that being said I don't think Vancouver will win but I can hope.

Here was my prediction:(3) Vancouver vs (6) Dallas Dallas is a sleeping giant. They can absolutely shut down an offense and Vancouver's offense is a prime target. Marty Turco has something to prove and Brendan Morrow is November fresh. Stars in 6I don't think I was that far off. Dallas and Turco did shut down Vancouver's offense but they just couldn't score enough. Anaheim can also shut teams down but they score more.

[fleung22 1]

And defeat oh so much easier to swallow?I get that the games aren't played on paper, but on paper this series is a total mismatch, #2 vs #3 seed aside. That being said, if the 'Nucks can take down Anaheim, my chances of winning Serge's pool will skyrocket. So...GO VANCOUVER!!!

I won't be as upset with losing to the Ducks (vs. the Stars)...that's true but I don't just blindly stand behind the Nucks. Missing Cooke and Kesler has been tough on the team. I haven't been impressed with Green's play for the most part and I'm not sold he's defensively responsible to the level the Nucks need. Hansen has transitioned well and adjusted to the pace of the game.Outside of that though the Nucks have a remarkable way of preparing for games they're supposed to lose. Luongo's a monster...he's been talked about to death. But look at the defense...1 through 6 they are solid without being spectacular. Up front they won't be setting all-time records for goals but each line is capable of scoring. Match-ups I hate for Canucks are vs. Stars, Flames, Wild, Avs. Honestly, despite all the superior stats I'm happy to see them play anyone else that's remaining in the West. If I'm wrong I'm wrong but I'd be surprised if the Ducks win in 4 or 5 games.

[fleung22 1]

Here was my prediction:(3) Vancouver vs (6) Dallas Dallas is a sleeping giant. They can absolutely shut down an offense and Vancouver's offense is a prime target. Marty Turco has something to prove and Brendan Morrow is November fresh. Stars in 6I don't think I was that far off. Dallas and Turco did shut down Vancouver's offense but they just couldn't score enough. Anaheim can also shut teams down but they score more.

Dallas is gonna smoke Vancouver.

[digitalmonkey 929]

Wow, April 7th....you should go back to the beginning of the season when I didn't think Vancouver would make the playoffs.

[fleung22 1]

Wow, April 7th....you should go back to the beginning of the season when I didn't think Vancouver would make the playoffs.

naaa...that's not fair. I didn't know there was a sports forum at FCP back then.

[WestcoastCanuck 0]

Vancouver has a slight edge in goaltending, and a slight edge in defensive depth. Other than that you have to give Anaheim the edge. I think the Canucks can win, but they will have to have everyone playing at the top of their game during every game. Anything less and this could be over quick.

[Zach6668 513]

Vancouver has a slight edge in goaltending, and a slight edge in defensive depth. Other than that you have to give Anaheim the edge. I think the Canucks can win, but they will have to have everyone playing at the top of their game during every game. Anything less and this could be over quick.

You think Ohlund, Salo, Bieksa, Mitchell, Green, etc are better than Pronger, Niedermeyer, Beauchemin, Pahlsson, etc?

[WestcoastCanuck 0]

You think Ohlund, Salo, Bieksa, Mitchell, Green, etc are better than Pronger, Niedermeyer, Beauchemin, Pahlsson, etc?

Green and Pahlsson are not D-men. Take a look at the rosters, Vancouver has an edge depth wise. Anaheims top 3 is clearly better, but even that edge isn't as big as a lot of people think.

[digitalmonkey 929]

Green and Pahlsson are not D-men. Take a look at the rosters, Vancouver has an edge depth wise. Anaheims top 3 is clearly better, but even that edge isn't as big as a lot of people think.

I think he was including defensive forwards.

[Zach6668 513]

I think he was including defensive forwards.

No, I was just not thinking clearly.I was pretty sure Pahlsson was a d-man, and just assumed Green was by vaguely watching the games. I'll check the rosters now.

[Zach6668 513]

Anaheim:NiedermeyerProngerBeacheminO'DonnellDiPentaHuskinsVancouver:OhlundSaloBieksaMitchellFitzpatrickSopelYeah, ok. I could see how you think Vancouver is "deeper", although I hear virtually nothing about Anaheim in the media, and a lot about Vancouver, so those names are more recognizable to me. I'd argue Anaheim defense are stronger overall though, but again, it's tough to assess that knowing very little about the bottom 2 on Anaheim.

[digitalmonkey 929]

What's the word on Burrows? Did Morrow do any damage?

[WestcoastCanuck 0]

Anaheim:NiedermeyerProngerBeacheminO'DonnellDiPentaHuskinsVancouver:OhlundSaloBieksaMitchellFitzpatrickSopelYeah, ok. I could see how you think Vancouver is "deeper", although I hear virtually nothing about Anaheim in the media, and a lot about Vancouver, so those names are more recognizable to me. I'd argue Anaheim defense are stronger overall though, but again, it's tough to assess that knowing very little about the bottom 2 on Anaheim.

You are missing Kraijcek, who has played very well in his role. Sopel has struggled a bit, he is the only "weak" link. The Canucks also have Edler if they need him. Anaheim is a great team, but it isn't like the Canucks are some mickey mouse 8th seed that snuck into the playoffs.I didn't hear anything about Burrows. Bieksa is doubtful for game 1 though, and Salo is going to play injured.

[digitalmonkey 929]

You are missing Kraijcek, who has played very well in his role. Sopel has struggled a bit, he is the only "weak" link. The Canucks also have Edler if they need him. Anaheim is a great team, but it isn't like the Canucks are some mickey mouse 8th seed that snuck into the playoffs.I didn't hear anything about Burrows. Bieksa is doubtful for game 1 though, and Salo is going to play injured.

Anaheim only had 5 more points than the Canucks, however the Canucks will have no chance if the Sedin's don't carry that game 7 success over into this series.

[WestcoastCanuck 0]

Anaheim only had 5 more points than the Canucks, however the Canucks will have no chance if the Sedin's don't carry that game 7 success over into this series.

This is true. The key to the Canucks success is having the twins play well (they dont have to dominate) againts whatever D-pairing they are against, and hope they can find some offence from Naslund/Linden/Morrison/Smolinski/Cooke(when he gets back).