Ducks-Wings: What they’re saying.

The Ducks have landed in Detroit. Check out these Ducks-Red Wings premature prognostications:

— SI.com’s Allan Muir picks the Wings in 6 here. Reach for the dictionary to find “milquetoast,” Ducks fans, then send him a nasty e-mail.

— Also on SI, NHL editor Kostya Kennedy gives some love to the Ducks’ D.

— NHL.com staff picks Dan Cleary as the potential series-changer here. Sheldon Brookbank might have something to say about that.

— Bill Beacon (Red Wings) and Chris Johnston (Ducks) split their series picks on the Sporting News’ web site.

Series schedule announced (with TV!)

Game 1: Friday, May 1 at Detroit, 4:00 p.m. VERSUS, TSN2
Game 2: Sunday, May 3 at Detroit, 11:00 a.m. NBC, TSN
Game 3: Tuesday, May 5 at Anaheim, 7:30 p.m. VERSUS, TSN
Game 4: Thursday, May 7 at Anaheim, 7:30 p.m. VERSUS, TSN
Game 5: *Sunday, May 10 at Detroit, 2:00 p.m. TSN
Game 6: *Tuesday, May 12 at Anaheim, TBD VERSUS, TSN
Game 7: *Thursday, May 14 at Detroit, TBD VERSUS, TSN

 

– Courtesy of NHL.com, which hasn’t figured in the possibilities of Game 5 being televised anywhere outside Canada. We’ll keep you posted.

Ducks in Detroit on Friday, Sunday

The Ducks will play Game 1 of their second-round series against the Detrtoit Red Wings at 4 p.m. Friday at Joe Louis Arena and Game 2 there at 11 a.m. Sunday.


As for the rest of the series, all we know yet is that Games 3 and 4 will be at Honda Center, Game 5* shifts back to Detroit, Game 6* is in Anaheim and Game 7 is in Detroit.

(*if necessary. You knew that.)

Second-round playoff tickets on sale tomorrow.

The Ducks announced that tickets for their second-round playoff series vs. the Detroit Red Wings will go on sale Wednesday at 10 a.m. All three potential home games (Game 3, 4 and 6) will go on sale on Wednesday. Tickets may be purchased online at AnaheimDucks.com, or by phone with Ticketmaster at (714) 703-2545. Tickets may also be purchased at the Honda Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations in Southern California on a first-come, first-served basis.

Individual game tickets for the second round start at $65.50, with all tickets matching 2008 playoff prices. The Ducks will also have playoff strips available to remaining 2009 Stanley Cup Playoff games at Honda Center for those who place a deposit on a 2009-10 ticket plan (full, half or mini-plan). Playoff strip tickets begin at $13.50 per ticket, per game for the second round (total cost for all three potential rounds start at $216 with a full season deposit). The Ducks’ Western Conference Semifinal schedule vs. Detroit has not yet been announced by the League.

Some more postgame factoids.

With tonight’s series-clinching win, the Ducks own an all-time record of 11-4 in games in which they can clinch a series, including a 9-0 mark at Honda Center.

Anaheim advances to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fifth time in franchise history, the third time in the last four years and fourth in the last six NHL seasons.

Tonight’s victory improved the Ducks’ record in Game 6 contests to 6-1.

The Ducks also improved their lifetime postseason record at Honda Center to 29-15 (.659 win percentage).

Ryan Getzlaf has earned points in four consecutive games (1-5=6). He leads Anaheim and ranks tied for second in the NHL in postseason scoring (2-6=8). He also co-leads the NHL in postseason assists with six.

Corey Perry has a three-game goal streak (3-1=4), which is tied for the NHL postseason lead (also Ryder, Malkin, Ryan, Parise and Ovechkin (active)).

Teemu Selanne scored his 10th career playoff game-winning goal and first since Game 5 of the WCF on May 20, 2007 at Detroit.

Chris Pronger has recorded points in three of the last four games (1-3=4), including two assists tonight.

Scott Niedermayer has earned points in two consecutive games (0-3=3).

How Ryan Getzlaf made his toughest critic smile.

Registering a goal, an assist, and a fight in the same game — The Gordie Howe Hat Trick — is named, of course, for Detroit Red Wings legend Gordie Howe. That only made it that much easier for us writer-types to point out the irony of Ryan Getzlaf punching his team’s ticket to the Motor City with said feat in the Ducks’ series-clinching win over the Sharks.
Continue reading “How Ryan Getzlaf made his toughest critic smile.” »

So who didn’t get involved for the Ducks?

That’s a good question. And a short list.


Erik Christensen saw his minutes reduced in Game 6 (to 6:22, second-lowest on the team) but still contributed to an important play, starting a 2-on-2 charge with Andrew Ebbett that resulted in a Sharks penalty in the second period. On the ensuing power play, Teemu Selanne scored the eventual game-winning goal.

So if you want to say everyone got involved in this one, go right ahead.Aside from all the usual suspects — Getzlaf, Perry, Ryan, Niedermayer, Pronger, et.al. — here’s a few unusual suspects who endeared themselves to some more ice time in Detroit.

Continue reading “So who didn’t get involved for the Ducks?” »