The Anaheim Ducks are an unstoppable force right now. They have yet to taste a defeat in this year’s playoffs. They’ve beaten the Calgary Flames convincingly in each of the first two games of their Western Conference semifinal series. And they’re heading to Calgary carrying a formidable road winning streak. Will the Ducks bury Calgary deeper? Or will the Flames rise to the occasion and win their first game of this series?
Read on for more about this game below. You can also click here for our preview of Game 2 of the series between the Grizzlies and the Warriors.
[sc:NHLArticles ]Anaheim Ducks vs. Calgary Flames Game 3 Preview
Series Scores & Schedule
Game 1 — April 30, Calgary Flames 1 at Anaheim Ducks 6
Game 2 — May 3, 10:00 PM ET, Calgary Flames 0 at Anaheim Ducks 3
Game 3 — May 5, 9:30 PM ET, Anaheim Ducks at Calgary Flames — view all NHL lines
Game 4 — May 8, 9:30 PM ET, Anaheim Ducks at Calgary Flames
Game 5 *— May 10, Time TBA, Calgary Flames at Anaheim Ducks
Game 6* — May 12, Time TBA, Anaheim Ducks at Calgary Flames
Game 7* — May 14, Time TBA, Calgary Flames at Anaheim Ducks
*If necessary
Betting on the Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks head to Calgary for Game 3 still undefeated in this postseason. Anaheim continued its mastery of Calgary in Game 2, as it defeated the Flames 3-0 on Sunday to extend the Ducks’ unbeaten streak to seven games.
Matt Beleskey opened up the scoring in that game with a goal in the first period, followed by goals by Hampus Lindholm and Nate Thompson, respectively, in the third period.
[sc:NHL240 ]Beleskey, who didn’t record a point in the first round, has come alive in the conference semifinal. He’s now supplied the Ducks’ offense with two goals in the series against Calgary. With Beleskey seemingly in a groove, the Ducks’ second line is now more dangerous than at any point thus far in the playoffs. Beleskey’s linemates, Ryan Kesler and Jakob Silfverberg, haven’t scored yet in the second round but have totaled five goals and eight assists in this playoffs.
Frederik Andersen, meanwhile, has complemented the team’s offense with some great goaltending in the series. Thus far in the series, Andersen has stopped all but one of the Flames’ shots on goal for a near-flawless saves percentage of .981. The Ducks are 6-0 in Andersen’s last six road starts overall.
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Betting on the Calgary Flames
The Flames are finally feeling the heat of the playoffs. After shocking the favored Vancouver Canucks in the first round, the Flames have found themselves winless in two games thus far in the Western Conference semifinal round. With the matchup now shifting to Calgary, the Flames aim to get their first win of the series and extend their win streak at Scotiabank Saddledome. They are 5-0 in their last five home games.
Unlike in Game 1, the Flames were able to do a better job defensively in Game 2. That, however, didn’t translate into a win as they were held back by an offense that failed to net a goal. The Flames fired 30 shots on goal (six more than their 24-shot effort in Game 1) but were still unable to solve Andersen.
The top line consisting of Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, and Jiri Hudler has remained silent in the series, combining for zero goals with as many assists. Those three players, who combined for seven goals and 10 assists in the Vancouver series, will have to produce if the Flames are to avoid a second-round exit.
Calgary could have ended up with further embarrassment in Game 2 if not for Karri Ramo’s heroics. Ramo’s solid play in that contest may have even earned him another starting gig over Jonas Hiller this coming Tuesday. Ramo kept the Flames in the game, as he stopped 28 of Anaheim’s shots on goal through the first two periods before giving up another goal in the final period. He finished the game with 31 saves on 33 shots faced for a .939 SV%. The Flames are 6-2 in Ramo’s last eight home starts.
Writer’s Prediction
Anaheim wins, 3-2.
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