The Anaheim Ducks started the season off looking nothing like last year’s bunch, which took the Chicago Blackhawks to Game 7 in the Western Conference Finals. But after shaking off their rough start, the Ducks have now captured their fourth consecutive Pacific Division title on the final day of the regular season. They now begin the Stanley Cup Playoffs hosting the Nashville Predators.
Nashville may only be a wild card team, but they have as much a shot at advancing as the Ducks. Their solid defense should be able to cause Anaheim’s big boys some problems. It’s going to be one hell of a showdown over in the Western Conference Playoffs. Read on as we take a look at Game 1 of the Ducks vs. Predators Western Conference Quarterfinals series.
Get some more Stanley Cup Playoffs action with our complete Game 1 previews for the Blackhawks vs. Blues and Wild vs. Stars.
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Nashville Predators vs. Anaheim Ducks Game 1 Preview
Where: Honda Center, Anaheim
When: Friday, April 15, 10:30 PM ET
Line: Nashville Predators at Anaheim Ducks – view all NHL lines
TV Broadcast: NBCSN
Betting on the Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators stand a chance of upsetting the Anaheim Ducks if they win the goaltending matchup. Pekka Rinne has been pretty solid, going 34-21-10 with a 2.48 GAA in the regular season. He went 2-0, while allowing just three goals in two games against Anaheim this season. But his last game against the Ducks was on November 17, way before Anaheim turned into a playoff contender.
While Weber and Josi keep the defense tight, they should also be a force to be reckoned on the other side of the rink. The Preds blue-line finished second in team scoring with 61 points in 81 games. They have the ability to generate offense from anywhere on the ice, which could help set up some precious breakaway opportunities.
Filip Forsberg will likely get plenty of scoring opportunities set up by Nashville’s blue line duo. He leads the team with 64 points and 33 goals this season. But he hasn’t met the new-look Anaheim Ducks just yet. His last game against the Ducks was on November 1, failing to score in Nashville’s lone trip to Honda Center.
The Preds have lost their last four on the road.
Betting on the Anaheim Ducks
It’s not all about offense for the Anaheim Ducks. They’re the stingiest team in the league this season, winning the Jennings Trophy after allowing the fewest goals against. The goalie duo of John Gibson and Frederik Andersen has been very good this season. Meanwhile, the blue line has given the goalie duo plenty of help.
Gibson finished the regular season 21-13-4 with a 2.07 GAA, while Andersen went 21-9-7 with a 2.36 GAA. Andersen was pretty good in last year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs. He went 11-5 with a 2.56 GAA. Expect the Ducks to have Andersen between the pipes to start off the playoffs. But if he struggles, then they may be rest assured that Gibson is there to save the day.
The offense will be as good as usual for the Ducks. They’ll be led by the dynamic duo of Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. Getzlaf leads the team with 63 points and 50 assists this season, while Perry has a team-high 34 goals. While the two certainly make up most of the Ducks’ firepower, Ryan Kesler could sneak by with his usual clutch goals. Kesler has been able to do everything for the team with 21 goals and 32 assists in the regular season. He was only behind Perry and Getzlaf in points on the team.
The Ducks have won six of their last nine games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Ducks take Game 1 with a tight 3-2 victory.
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