…Still undecided.

Continue reading “And the Ducks’ first-round opponent is…” »

Bring on the playoffs! (Read: No more shootouts, please).

Scott Niedermayer

We didn’t come out and play the way we wanted to in the start. As the game went on, we just got better and better and back to doing the things that we have done in the last stretch here. That is good. Tomorrow night we just need to keep doing that. It’s another two big points on the line.

On getting into the playoffs: We’ve come together to push us into the playoffs and give us an opportunity to see what we can do there. It’s always nice to have that opportunity. We’ve had more consistency and playing the way we need to. You only have success when you play as a team. We’re just playing harder as a team.

Francois Beauchemin

On returning from his injury: Overall, I think I felt alright. I got the puck early on a couple of breakouts, offensive zone faceoffs and all that stuff. I didn’t run out of breath. Conditioning-wise, I felt actually almost better than ever. The knee had no problems. I hit a couple of guys. I didn’t feel a thing tonight. That is good news.

On the reaction from the fans in the first period: It was unbelievable. I really didn’t expect it. I had some butterflies. I didn’t really want to leave the back of the net. The guys were changing, so I just did the control breakout and then I heard the crowd go. I was looking for a fight somewhere, but there wasn’t. That was quite something. I appreciate that.

Randy Carlyle

On getting into the playoffs: We’re in. You work all year. You start in September with your group and you have visions of playing in the playoffs. It’s a marathon that we just are about to complete with one more game in Phoenix. It again is an important game for us from a standpoint of improving our position. It’s amazing that all of these games have had a certain degree of importance. Tomorrow is no different.

On the turning point: We battled. We had a lot of turmoil around our group. It just seemed that for a good period of this year, we were floundering one way or another. We weren’t playing very well as a team. More desperation came in and we settled. We knew what our group of players was going to be. There was more of an ability to play together and not worry about any other distractions other than playing for the crest on the front of the sweater. Everybody was an Anaheim Duck. We played well as a team. It’s a tribute to the players. They did it. They’re the ones that should be commended because they’re the ones that put in the work day in and day out.

With tonight’s win, the Ducks have clinched Stanley Cup playoff berth for the fourth consecutive year, a franchise record, and the seventh time overall. The Ducks’ first-round opponent and series dates will be announced on Sunday.

The Ducks reached the 90-point mark for the fourth consecutive season and the fifth time in club history.

The Ducks have won two straight, five of the last six games (5-1-0), 10 of the last 12 (10-2-0) and 11-of-14 (11-3-0).

Tonight’s win brought Anaheim’s shootout total to 7-2 on the season. The Ducks have won their last four consecutive shootout appearances.

Andrew Ebbetthas earned 3-5=8 points in the last 10 games, including a goal tonight.

With an assist tonight,Teemu Selanneextended his point streak to six games (3-4=7).

Jonas Hillerhas won eight of his last nine starts (8-1-0, one no decision), stopping 42-of-45 shots in his 23rd win of the season. During that span, he has stopped 270-of-293 shots for a .922 save percentage and 2.34 GAA (23 GA/589 min). Hiller has gone 5-1 in the shootout this season.

With an assist tonight,Corey Perryextended his point streak to four games (3-3=6).

Scott Niedermayerhas earned 2-4=6 points in the last five games. His two points tonight (1-1=2) accounted for his 16th multiple-point game of the season (one multi goal, 11 multi-assist).

James Wisniewskihas collected six assists (0-6=6) over the last eight games.

Todd Marchantscored his fifth goal of the season and has earned points in consecutive games (1-1=2).

Petteri Nokelainenhas earned points in consecutive games (1-1=2).

After fighting back to earn a spot in the West’s top 8, the Ducks clinched a playoff berth by backing into it. It’s their fourth playoff appearance in as many years, and they’ll take it. They clinched once the teams finished tied, 3-3 after three periods. That standings point, combined with Nashville’s 8-4 loss to Minnesota earlier in the evening, means the Ducks can finish no worse than eighth in the Western Conference standings.

Ducks fans better hope that Dallas’ Mike Ribeiro has used them all up … or rather, that tonight’s game simply doesn’t go into a shootout. This between-the-legs floater won the game last night in Colorado:

Ducks GM Bob Murray lives in Chicago, so he won’t have to spend too much to ship a bouquet of flowers to the Blackhawks. Their win yesterday over Nashville means the Ducks need just one more win, either Friday against the Dallas Stars or Saturday in Phoenix, to clinch a playoff berth. Anyone hoping to celebrate the occasion in person (or simply hoping to get revenge on Dallas for last season) is rooting for a win Friday.

From http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=417121:

“I met with the doctor Sunday during the game [against San Jose],” Beauchemin said. “We came to the conclusion that I can go hard this week. If there’s no soreness or setback, maybe there’s a possibly that I play this weekend.”

The Ducks have signed right wing Dan Sexton to a two-year entry-level contract.

Continue reading “Ducks ink rookie free agent Sexton.” »

The Anaheim Ducks announced today changes to the final two games of the 2008-09 regular season broadcast schedule. On Friday, Apr. 10, the club’s contest vs.Dallashas been moved to KTLK 1150 AM (7:05 p.m. PDT, KDOC-TV). On Saturday, Apr. 11, the club’s contest atPhoenixwill now be televised on FS West (5 p.m. PDT). That game will be heard as scheduled on KLAA AM 830.