Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Shea Weber tied the game with 35.3 seconds left in regulation and Jerred Smithson won it 1:57 into overtime to give the Nashville Predators a 4-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks in Game 5 of a Western Conference quarterfinal series. In the final minute of regulation with Pekka Rinne on the bench, a left-circle faceoff in the Anaheim end was won by Mike Fisher. The puck went back to the right side for Cody Franson, who sent it over to the left and Weber's successful one-timer forced a fourth period.
In the extra session, Nick Spaling kept the puck in at the left point and sent it down low for Jordin Tootoo, who threw it to the front where a streaking Smithson one-timed it home. Kevin Klein and Joel Ward also had goals for the Predators, who lead the best- of-seven series 3-2 and can claim the first-ever series victory for the franchise on Sunday at home in Game 6.
Rinne, who was named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy earlier on Friday, stopped 23 shots in the win. Jason Blake scored twice while Bobby Ryan, who missed the past two games due to a suspension, notched the other goal for the Ducks, who got two assists from Saku Koivu. Ray Emery made 33 saves in the setback.
For more news and information on this first round NHL playoff series, be sure to stay tuned to this StoryStream. For more news about the Ducks, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Anaheim Calling.
Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators scored the game-tying goal with 35.3 seconds remaining in the third period, sending Game 5 of the NHL Western Conference quarterfinals with the Anaheim Ducks into overtime at Honda Center. This is the first overtime game of the series. So far in the game, the Predators lead in shots on goal, 34-26.
Jason Blake scored two goals for Anaheim, including the go-ahead tally with under six minutes remaining, giving the Ducks a 3-2 lead, but Nashville was able to tied the game after pulling goaltender Pekka Rinne in the final minute. Bobby Ryan, in his first game back after getting suspended for Games 3 and 4, also scored a goal for the Ducks. Saku Koivu has two assists.
The Ducks were 13-3-2 in overtime this season.
For more news and information on this first round NHL playoff series, be sure to stay tuned to this StoryStream. For more news about the Ducks, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Anaheim Calling.
The Anaheim Ducks worked hard all season to get home ice advantage in their first-round NHL playoff series, and they hope to use that advantage Friday night, hosting the Nashville Predators in Game 5 at Honda Center. The Ducks will be without Jarkko Ruutu, who was suspended for his hit on Martin Erat in Game 4. However, the Ducks will get Bobby Ryan back after the forward served his two-game suspension.
"It's always nice when you get home ice advantage back and when you get one of your top guys back, too," Corey Perry told NHL.com. "It's nice to have [Ryan] back and we've just got to be ready to play." Game 5 has a start time of 7 p.m. PDT, and will be televised by Prime Ticket.
Rather than talk of suspensions, or suspicions of diving, Arthur of Anaheim Calling chose to focus on actual hockey. He noted that goalie Jonas Hiller, though now out with vertigo, was still a huge part of getting Anaheim to where they are tonight:
Here's a Ducks team that could barely stay competitive without Jonas bailing them out of 40+ shots-allowed efforts, a team that was severely lacking in chemistry and consistency. Make no mistake, they didn't get here without him. Hiller could not be there for the stretch run, but he stole wins that made the last minute comebacks to end the season relevant. They haven't been better off without his contributions.
For more news and information about the Ducks, or about this first round playoff series, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Anaheim Calling.
When the Anaheim Ducks return home Friday night for Game 5 of their first-round NHL playoff series against the Nashville Predators, they will get back forward Bobby Ryan, who was suspended for Games 3 and 4. However, Anaheim will be without forward Jarkko Ruutu, as he was suspended for Game 5, for delivering a late hit in Game 4 to Predators' forward Martin Erat. Ruutu was assessed a minor penalty for interference on this play:
"To me it's absurd that there's even mention of a hearing when a guy has a shoulder-on-shoulder bodycheck and the player passes the puck and they're saying it's so many tenths of a second that they allow," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle told the Los Angeles Times. "That this was two-tenths or three-tenths of a second past the allowable point, it's kind of mindboggling at times."
Erat did not join Nashville on their trip to Anaheim for Game 5. Game 5 has a start time of 7 p.m. PDT, and will be televised by Prime Ticket.
For more news and information about the Ducks, or about this first round playoff series, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Anaheim Calling.
Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - Corey Perry's short-handed goal ignited a three-goal third period and staked Anaheim to a 6-3 decision over Nashville in Game 4 of this Western Conference quarterfinal from Bridgestone Arena. Ryan Getzlaf and Brandon McMillan also lit the lamp in the final 20 minutes for the Ducks, who rebounded from a one-goal setback on Sunday.
Cam Fowler, Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne also scored to back 19 saves by Ray Emery. Patric Hornqvist, Joel Ward and Matt Halischuk provided the offense for the Predators. Pekka Rinne allowed all six goals on 29 shots before being pulled late. Anders Lindback finished the contest with nine stops. Game 5 shifts back to southern California on Friday, and will be a 7 p.m. PDT start, televised by Prime Ticket.
For more news and information about the Ducks, or about this first round playoff series, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Anaheim Calling.
The Anaheim Ducks need a road win Wednesday night in Game 4 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville to even their first round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series with the Nashville Predators. The Ducks will be without Bobby Ryan for one more game, as he is still serving his suspension stemming from stepping on the Predators' Jonathon Blum in Game 2. Wednesday's Game 4 starts at 5:30 p.m. PDT and will be televised by KDOC.
Teemu Selanne scored two goals in Sunday's Game 3 loss in Nashville, but was livid after the loss. "I felt that last night we didn’t … I hate to say it, but it looked like we didn’t want it. As a professional athlete, that’s the worst thing you can really say," Selanne said on Monday. "We all can do better. I can’t say one guy who can honestly say he played his best. If you can’t do that, you can’t win games at this level."
Daniel at Anaheim Calling thinks the Ducks need to go on the offensive to win Game 4:
I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but this might be one of those instances where the best defense is a good offense. The opposition can't score if they aren't in your zone. The Ducks need to tighten up their offensive zone play, and force the Preds to work for the puck.
It's time to bring Sexton into the lineup. Nashville's quick forecheck and counter attacking style needs speed to counter it. Sexton would provide a check against Nashville, by forcing them to respect his speed. He can force the defense back and let the trailers fill the gaps.
Anaheim goalie Jonas Hiller, who was an NHL All-Star this season, but has played only three games since February 1, was been sent back to Anaheim Tuesday as he is still dealing with symptoms of vertigo.
For more news and information about the Ducks, or about this first round playoff series, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Anaheim Calling.
After falling on Sunday in Game 3 to fall behind 2-1 in the series, the Anaheim Ducks took to even their first round NHL playoff series with the Nashville Predators in Tennessee. Game 4 is Wednesday night at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The Ducks, who need a win to regain home ice advantage, will be without Bobby Ryan for one more game. Ryan was suspended for Games 3 and 4 for stepping on the foot of Jonathon Blum of the Predators in Game 2. Here is the remaining series schedule (all times PDT):
*if necessary
For more news and information about the Ducks, or about this first round playoff series, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Anaheim Calling.
Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - Mike Fisher scored the game-winner midway through the third period, as the Nashville Predators beat the Anaheim Ducks, 4-3, in Game 3 of their Western Conference quarterfinal set at Bridgestone Arena. Martin Erat had a goal and an assist for the fifth-seeded Predators, who bounced back from a 5-3 defeat in Game 2 to take a 2-1 series lead. Jordin Tootoo and David Legwand also lit the lamp.
Pekka Rinne made 13 saves for Nashville, which has never won a playoff series in the franchise's brief history, having been knocked out in the first round all five times it has made the postseason. Teemu Selanne had two goals for the Ducks, who were without forward Bobby Ryan because of his two-game suspension. Ryan, who had 34 goals in the regular season, was docked by the NHL Saturday for stomping on the skate of Predators defenseman Jonathon Blum late in Anaheim's victory Friday.
Matt Beleskey also scored for Anaheim, which got 33 saves from Ray Emery. Game 4 is set for Wednesday in Nashville.
For more news and information about the Ducks, or about this first round playoff series, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Anaheim Calling.
The Anaheim Ducks will look to regain home ice advantage on Sunday afternoon as the battle the Nashville Predators in Game 3 of their first round series at Bridgestone Arena. Nashville took the opener Wednesday night in Anaheim, while the Ducks stormed back for a victory in Game 2 to even the series. Bobby Ryan of the Ducks was suspended for Games 3 and 4 of this series after stepping on the foot of the Preds' Jonathon Blum in Game 2.
As for today's Game 3, the Ducks will look for more of the same from Game 2, and try to take an early lead on Nashville. "They are a grinding team and we knew that they weren't going to lie down," Ducks goalie Ray Emery told NHL.com. "After they made it 4-3, we did a good job of controlling things, getting pucks deep, simplifying things and not giving them much after that."
The folks at Anaheim Calling debated the Ducks' style of play so far this series, and Daniel decided Anaheim should continue to play rough with Nashville, with a twist:
I suppose my final definitive answer is that the Ducks should keep it chippy, but improve their special teams play. They are going to have to do more with fewer PP opportunities, and they need to tighten up on the kill.
Today's 3 p.m. PDT game will be televised by Fox Sports West.
For more news and information about the Ducks, or about this first round playoff series, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Anaheim Calling.
After splitting their first two games, the Anaheim Ducks and Nashville Predators continue their first round NHL playoff series in Tennessee. Ducks' forward Bobby Ryan has been suspended for Games 3 and 4 for stepping on the foot of the Predators' Jonathon Blum. Game 3 will be held Sunday afternoon at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Here is the remaining series schedule (all times PDT):
*if necessary
For more news and information about the Ducks, or about this first round playoff series, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Anaheim Calling.
The Anaheim Ducks will be without left-winger Bobby Ryan for the next two games of their first-round playoff series with the Nashville Predators. Ryan was suspended by the NHL for Games 3 and 4 in Nashville for stepping on the foot of Jonathon Blum of the Predators on Friday night during Game 2. The first round series is tied at one game apiece.
"I don’t agree with it," Ryan told Ducks' radio analyst Dan Wood after practice Saturday. "There’s not much to say. I obviously came down right on top of his foot. I saw it 10, 15 times today and watched it before the meeting. I don’t see a two-game suspension, but it is what it is. It’s his call. I’ll be a good teammate and move forward."
Ryan was second on the Ducks during the regular season with 34 goals scored, and fourth on the team with 71 points.
For more news and information about the Ducks, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Anaheim Calling.
The Anaheim Ducks closed their regular season with a flourish, winning 15 of their final 20 contests, including a 9-3 mark at Honda Center, to secure home ice advantage in the first round of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. So it would be hard to blame them for feeling deflated after giving that away on Wednesday night in their 4-1 loss to the Nashville Predators in Game 1. However, there is no time for the Ducks to feel sorry for themselves after losing the first game. They need a win Friday night in Game 2 just to stay in the series, lest they head back to Nashville in a 2-0 hole.
The Ducks started Dan Ellis in Game 1, but they might be leaning toward Ray Emery in Game 2. Emery, who has been battling a lower body injury, saved six shots in relief of Ellis late in the first contest. "Emery is more of a bigger bodied blocking type of goaltender, where Dan Ellis is more of a smaller guy, compact and more active in the net," head coach Randy Carlyle said on Thursday. "Both goaltenders have success in the NHL with their styles and they both compete to stop the puck."
After Game 1, Daniel at Anaheim Calling agreed that a change in net might be a good thing:
I don't think this is a knock on Ellis, but Emery strikes me as more of a battler. As a traditional butterfly goalie, Emery has a calming effect. He'll always be squaring himself to the shooter, and he's going to use his frame to take up a lot of the net. Right now, the Ducks need a goalie who can steady the play in the defensive zone by absorbing shots and negating second chances. They need a goalie who doesn't need to scramble to be effective. Yeah, it looks sexy when you come up with the save, but it's 12 kinds of stressful while you're waiting for the whistle.
Marc Torrence of the Predators blog On The Forecheck thinks the Ducks will come out ready to play in Game 2:
[Corey] Perry and the rest of the Ducks' high-flying offense will come out swingin'. If the Predators' defense can hold, Nashville should get some chances to capitalize in transition just like in Game 1.
Tonight's 7:30 p.m. PDT game will be televised by KDOC.
For more news and information about the Ducks, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Anaheim Calling.
Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Mike Fisher had two goals and an assist to help the Nashville Predators open their Western Conference quarterfinal series with a 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks. Shea Weber and Steve Sullivan each had a goal for the Predators, who have yet to win a playoff series as the team has been knocked out in the first round all five times they have made the postseason. Pekka Rinne made 27 stops for Nashville, which comes into the playoffs as the fifth-seed.
Teemu Selanne had the lone goal for the Ducks, who are back in the playoffs after missing out last season. Dan Ellis, a former Predator, was tagged for four goals on 24 shots in the loss. He was pulled early in the third period and Ray Emery made six stops the rest of the way. Game 2 is set for Friday in Anaheim.
For more news and information about the Ducks, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Anaheim Calling.
The Anaheim Ducks open their first round series of the 2011 NHL Playoffs Wednesday night at Honda Center against the Nashville Predators. The game in Anaheim is one of five NHL playoff games on the opening night of the postseason. Game 1 has a 7:30 p.m. PDT start, and will be televised by both KDOC and TSN. Dan Ellis will start in goal for the Ducks. The folks at Anaheim Calling believe the Ducks' goaltending will be a key to the series:
They're no longer the kind of squad that needs world class goaltending just to prevent a blowout, though, you're absolutely right, they'll need some big saves to get the wins. And both Ellis and Emery have shown the ability to deliver that.
Arthur at Anaheim Calling noted that Pekka Rinne of the Predators will be a tough goalie to deal with:
Historically, yes, the Ducks have taken down great netminders. They've made Roberto Luongo look like Brian Elliott, but historically, they've also made Dwayne Roloson look like Roberto Luongo, so I don't know if history is going to ease the pressure on anyone on this team.
Daniel at Anaheim Calling noted the importance of the third line:
Everyone wants to focus on the top line/big pair match up, but that's not the most important match up of the series. With home ice advantage, Carlyle needs to focus on wearing down Weber and Suter as much as possible, so that the top line can seal the deal come games 5,6, and 7. If Carlyle is going to insist on keeping Dan Sexton out of the line up, then he needs to make sure that he gets the appropriate mileage out of Winchester.
For more news and information about the Ducks, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Anaheim Calling.
The Anaheim Ducks open the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs at home, hosting the Nashville Predators in a matchup of the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds in the Western Conference. The Ducks were 1-2-1 against the Predators this season, 1-1 at home and 0-1-1 on the road. The series opens on Wednesday at Honda Center at 7:30 p.m PDT on TSN. Here is the full first round series schedule (all times PDT):
*if necessary
The television and radio schedule will be announced on Monday.
For more news and information about the Ducks, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Anaheim Calling.
By virtue of winning their last three games, and 15 of their last 20 contests, the Anaheim Ducks have clinched the No. 4 seed in the NHL playoffs. The Ducks will open their first round series at home against the No. 5 seed Nashville Predators. The full playoff schedule will be announced Sunday night.
Here is a look back at the previous meetings this season between the Ducks (47-30-5) and Predators (44-27-11). Anaheim is 1-2-1 against Nashville this season:
The 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs begin on Wednesday night.
For more news and information about the Ducks, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Anaheim Calling.
Ducks Vs. Predators, Game 6: Anaheim Loses To Nashville, 4-2, Lose Series
Nashville, TN (Sports Network) – Nick Spaling scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period, as the Nashville Predators won their first playoff series in franchise history with a 4-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks in Game 6 of this Western Conference quarterfinal.
Spaling also lit the lamp in the first period for the Predators, who won in overtime in Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead. Steve Sullivan and David Legwand also scored.
Pekka Rinne made 25 saves for Nashville, which entered the NHL as an expansion club in 1998.
The Predators also won the sixth game of a series for the first time, while the Ducks fell to 7-2 all-time in Game 6s.
Teemu Selanne and Jason Blake found the back of the net for the Ducks, who got 26 saves from Ray Emery.
With the score tied at 2-2, Nashville had a goal waved off 1:53 into the third. A shot from the left point was deflected in by Patric Hornqvist, but his stick was above the crossbar. The refs confirmed it was no goal after a review.
The Bridgestone Arena crowd got to cheer for real at the 4:53 mark. Jordin Tootoo charged down the left side of the ice and made his way in front of Emery, who poked the puck away. Spaling was right there to put the puck into the back of the net.
The Ducks went on the power play at the 7:48 mark, but Rinne kept it a 3-2 game.
Anaheim pulled Emery with about 1 1/2 minutes to play for the extra attacker. The Ducks, though, were called for a penalty in the final 38 seconds.
Legwand scored on the empty net to send the fourth-seeded Ducks packing.
Selanne kept his stellar play in the postseason going with a goal at the 10:22 mark of the first period. The 40-year-old winger carried the puck around the net and beat Rinne with a backhander for his sixth goal of the series.
The Ducks seemed to be in prime position to win, considering the team who scored the first goal won each of the previous five games.
The Predators made it a 1-1 game with 27.9 seconds to go in the opening frame. Anaheim turned the puck over behind its own net and Tootoo found the loose disc. He made a nice pass to the slot for Spaling, whose wrister beat Emery.
Sullivan put Nashville ahead at the 3:29 mark of the middle stanza. J.P. Dumont led a charge into the Anaheim zone and passed to his right. Sullivan gathered the puck, made a nice move in front, and slid a backhander past Emery.
The Ducks converted on their first power play of the game to make it a 2-2 contest. Bobby Ryan fired a shot on net from the top of the left circle that Blake deflected past Rinne.
Game Notes
The Ducks got forward Jarkko Ruutu back after he served a one-game suspension for an illegal hit on Nashville’s Martin Erat…Erat missed his second straight game with an upper body injury suffered on the hit.
Apr 24 6:59p by Julio Nievas