The Wild West--3/6 to 3/12

Here's a look at not only what the Ducks will be going up against this week, but also the other western playoff hopefuls.

This is what it looks like as of right now, Sunday night 3/5. (UPDATED 3/7)--Vancouver has slipped, so I'll include them in this as well. UPDATED 3/12
GP W L OTL PTS
3 Colorado 65 37 23 6 80
6 Los Angeles 65 36 24 5 77
7 Vancouver 65 35 24 6 76
8 Anaheim 63 31 20 12 74
__________________________________
Edmonton 65 32 23 10 74
San Jose 62 30 23 9 69
Minnesota 65 31 28 7 69

Colorado: 3-0-0
LA: 2-1-0
Edmonton: 0-2-2
Anaheim: 3-0-0
Minnesota: 1-0-2
San Jose: 2-0-1
Vancouver: 0-1-1

Wow. That's a real tight playoff race going on there. We've got two must win games coming up, hopefully the Ducks show up and dominate for both of them. Good thing Ozo's back, he's dangerous from the point and we'll need alot of that from him for the rest of the season.

if the ducks beat the sharks in regulation, we effectively take them out of it. Ducks have owned PHO but you have to win those, especially with the easy schedules of the other teams.

Kings-Wild heading to OT so both get a point.

we just can't get any help from other teams...Minnesota had it 2-0 in the third and they are supposed to be a great defensive team...thanks Minnesota :shakehead

Dallas is up against the Oilers 3-1...wait didn't the Stars lose a 3 goal lead against the Kings in the third period. :shakehead

Kings win. Colorado currently tied with St. Louis with 2 minutes left in the 3rd period.

Kings win. Colorado currently tied with St. Louis with 2 minutes left in the 3rd period.

Thanks Minny. :help:

You know, I believe Calgary could still fade and be in contention with the others . . .

Kings 3 Wild 2 (OT)

I hate Minnesota :shakehead

Kings 3 Wild 2 (OT)

I hate Minnesota :shakehead

To make amends, they should trade Gaborik to us for a cond. 7th round draft choice. :D

Colorado/St. Louis in OT . . .

Colorado/St. Louis in OT . . .

come on St. Louis take the 2nd point.

come on St. Louis take the 2nd point.

With the way things have been going, do you really expect that to happen? :biglaugh: :cry:

Colorado/St. Louis in SH . . .

Laaksonen hits post.
McClement misses.
Hejduk scores.
Tkachuk stopped.
Sakic stopped.
Wideman stopped.

Colorado wins.

the shootout hurts us again.

what a joke...

Edmonton scored to cut the lead to 3-2.

The hockey gods really are against us aren't they?

Edmonton-Dallas now 3-3

The hockey gods really are against us aren't they?

Tonight they are. Oilers tied the game.

3 games in a row going against us...unbelievable...

3 games in a row going against us...unbelievable...

:shakehead

Oilers getting a point. OT on the way.

Looks like it is going to the SO. Good news for us. :)

Stars win! Jokinen is a beast in shootouts.

Stars win! Jokinen is a beast in shootouts.
:handclap:

This means we must win to keep up with LA, [Phoenix], and Colorado, gain 1 on Edmonton and Minnesota, and gain 2 on San Jose.

EDIT: I guess I don't think much of Phoenix' chances.

You could see that one coming. Stuck in our own end; unable to move it out.

EDIT: Sorry, wrong thread.

You could see that one coming. Stuck in our own end; unable to move it out.

EDIT: Sorry, wrong thread.

:biglaugh:

Kings finally lost 7-3 today VS the Wings. :hockey:

Edmonton plays San Jose in a few minutes.

Colorado is beating Chi 2-1 in the 3rd. Would be cool if the Hawks could come back. Colorado could be our target with Svatos gone and Budaj their starter. Edmonton and Vancouver seem to have solified their spots, but they do play each 3 straight games coming up. L.A is a toss up, who knows what they will do.

Damn Chicago. :madfire:

5 points behind the Kings with 3 games in hand now.

if San Jose beats the Oilers...

3 points behind the Oilers with 2 games in hand.

well if SJ keeps blowing leads like this then we're going to be 5 points out.

Nashville over Vancouver in OT.

SJ up 4-2 in the third, hopefully they can keep this lead. It would be huge if the Ducks are 3 out by Saturday becuase I beleive Ed plays Sat as well...

SJ up 4-2 in the third, hopefully they can keep this lead. It would be huge if the Ducks are 3 out by Saturday becuase I beleive Ed plays Sat as well...

5-2 Sharks now. 3 points behind Edmonton with 2 games in hand now. :yo:

Hockey gods like the Ducks for one day. :)

:handclap: Thank you San Jose

Now with those games in hand on the Kings and Oilers we can control our own destiny for a while. Lets sweep the Coyotes this weekend!!!

If we win Sat and Edmonton loses, though they are playing the BJ's so I dont think that likely, then Ana will be a point out with two games in hand.

Minnesota and LA get St. Louis for their next games, and St. Louis hasnt exactly been playing like bottom feeders lately, and they may provide some help.

Colorado next plays on Sunday in a tough game against Calgary, and Edmonton plays the second of back to back games against Minnesota.

If the Ducks win out this week against the yotes they could be in pretty good shape heading into a showdown with Detroit next Wednesday, which looks to be a real good telling point of where the Ducks are headed.

Updated Standings list.

5. Colorado 65 GP (78 Points)

6. Vancouver 64 GP (76 Points)

7. L.A. 64 GP (75 Points)

8. Edmonton 63 GP (73 Points)
-------------------------

9. Anaheim 61 GP (70 Points)

10. San Jose 61 GP (67 Points)

11. Minnesota 64 GP (66 Points)

Looking good for the Ducks!!! :handclap:

Looks like the Wild are out; there's little chance they can put three of those teams behind them, considering the point leads/games-in-hand, that these teams play each other a lot and someone has to win, and with only 18 games left for them.

these guys just have to win their games, bottom line is they need all 4 points this weekend. No excuses.

SJ-NASH

Karyia just tied the game at 2-2 with 11 seconds left in the game, potentially stealing a valueable point from the Sharks. Hopefully the Preds can net another...

so much for that. Sharks are now only one point behind the Ducks and very much still in the race for the last playoff spot.

Kings and Blues about to start on FSN1

Blues have been playing better lately, hopefully they play well tonight.

Edmonton 2 Columbus 0 after first period.

not expecting a CBJs comeback.

Hey guys, Sharks beat the Preds in OT - currently 1 point behind you.

2-1 now

52 second 5 on 3 for the Blues here...

they didn't score. :shakehead

another 5 on 3 for the Blues...this time for 33 seconds.

and again they can't score...

3-1 Oilers. :cry:

3-2....not giving up.

Kings turn to have a 5 on 3...for 50 seconds

20 seconds left in the first period..

30 seconds will carry over at the start of the 2nd.

0-0 after 1st.

3-2....not giving up.

:clap:

Blues killed the 5 on 3...

0-0 early in the 2nd.

3-3 NOW!!! :yo:

Oilers and Jackets tied 3-3 late in the 3rd...

3-3 NOW!!! :yo:
You beat me! :p: ;)

Keith Tkachuk penalty shot....

save Garon

0-0 5:58 left in the 2nd.

Blues with a PP now though.

You beat me! :p: ;)

:flex: :D

0-0 after 2 in the Blues-Kings game.

columbus wins

Jackets beat Oilers in ot! Feds helped out his former team w/ a goal and 2 assists:handclap:

good job BJs.

Kings and Blues 1-1 now.

Kings have no luck. Parrish goes down with a knee injury. Hoope he recovers soon.

Kings and Blues headed to the dreaded shootout in a game where neither team deserves a 2nd point. This is a game that should end in a tie. Yeah I hate the shootout.

god I hate the shootout.

2-1 Kings

Kings get the 2nd point they didn't really deserve...

Whatevs. If we take care of business we're in the 8th spot regardless of what the others do.

Kings have no luck. Parrish goes down with a knee injury. Hoope he recovers soon.
Well he was in the shootout.

But yeah, I think Staples Center was built on an Indian burial ground.

kings 2 Points~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

god I hate the shootout.

2-1 Kings

Kings get the 2nd point they didn't really deserve...
Get a Grip MD19 - You used to be objective. What the hell happened??

Get a Grip MD19 - You used to be objective. What the hell happened??

Shootout is a joke, I've hated it from the beginning.

Nothing personal against the Kings tonight.

Shootout is a joke, I've hated it from the beginning.

Nothing personal against the Kings tonight.
Sorry if my comments were harsh - it was hard tell where you where coming from. I have to agree with your comments regarding shootouts and with that said - how many teams have the extra points because of the shootout? I for one am glad it's gone with the start of playoffs - as it should be. End of regulation and on to OT, sans shootout. Best team wins.

Well we pick up 1 on Edmonton, and the Vancouver game isn't decided. Lost ground to no one.

Tomorrow is huge

1-0 Vancouver after 2 periods.

Go stars! :handclap:

I think Vancouver is the team least likely to fall out of the playoffs, its good if they lose but I don't watch them as closely as L.A, Col and Edm. Also, Vancouver plays Edmonton 3 straight games coming up so we mind as well cheer for Vancouver during that time.

I think Vancouver is the team least likely to fall out of the playoffs, its good if they lose but I don't watch them as closely as L.A, Col and Edm. Also, Vancouver plays Edmonton 3 straight games coming up so we mind as well cheer for Vancouver during that time.
they've been kind of up and down all year. if anyone loses a few regulation games in a row things open up even more.

Ducks need to finish off this h/h tomorrow before the road trip, we could be tied with EDM with a game in hand after tomorrows game.

Van and Dal are tied at one. Hopefully Dallas can pull it out.

Ducks need to finish off this h/h tomorrow before the road trip, we could be tied with EDM with a game in hand after tomorrows game.
EDM is in Minny tomorrow so after tomorrow best case scenario is we are tied with them with 2 games in hand. Worst case is beind 4 points with 2 in hand.

Van and Dal are tied at one. Hopefully Dallas can pull it out.

Dallas now leads 2-1 with 2:00 remaining . . .

Dallas wins!

Ducks now 4 points behind the Nucks with three games in hand. :handclap:

Dallas > Vancouver.

Updated standings.

5. Colorado 65 78
6. Los Angeles 65 77
7. Vancouver 65 76
8. Edmonton 64 74
9. Anaheim 62 72
10. San Jose 62 69
So right now, the ducks have 3 in hand on COL,LA,and VAN, and 2 in hand on EDM.

the ducks have been muched improved on the road, they need to continue playing that way. the way I see it the ducks go 13-7 or better and they should make it, anything less than that and you are running it really close.

the ducks have been muched improved on the road, they need to continue playing that way.
6-1-3 in their last 10 on the road, which is quite the turnaround from earlier this year where a road game was almost like an automatic loss.

The original post has been updated including the results of all of tonight's games. For tomorrow, that just leaves:

Calgary @ Colorado
Edmonton @ Minnesota
Phoenix @ Anaheim

6-1-3 in their last 10 on the road, which is quite the turnaround from earlier this year where a road game was almost like an automatic loss.
I think they were like 1-7-1 at one point. They dug themselves this hole with the 8 game losing streak though.

Said the same thing in the thread we have on the Kings board,

I think the Ducks have a good chance of making it, just don't see 4 NW teams getting in.

Would be great to see both SoCal teams in the playoffs for the first time ever.

Said the same thing in the thread we have on the Kings board,

I think the Ducks have a good chance of making it, just don't see 4 NW teams getting in.

Would be great to see both SoCal teams in the playoffs for the first time ever.

Very much indeed.

The Ducks are only 2 points behind the Oilers with 2 games in hand. I'm very impressed with what they've accomplished in the last month or so.

With the number of rooks/kids in the lineup, I am very proud of these guys for what they have accomplished so far in the season. After starting so slow and going on that 8 games losing streak, I would never think the Ducks would be in position to steal a playoff position. The final stretch of games should be a real test against a lot of good teams. Its going to be a blast the final 20 games.

Very much indeed.

That would be awesome!!! :handclap:

With the number of rooks/kids in the lineup, I am very proud of these guys for what they have accomplished so far in the season. After starting so slow and going on that 8 games losing streak, I would never think the Ducks would be in position to steal a playoff position. The final stretch of games should be a real test against a lot of good teams. Its going to be a blast the final 20 games.
Their gonna have to earn it, so if they are able to pull off this last 20 game stretch they deserve to make it.

With the way JSG has been playing it can happen, if he goes into a slump, then the ducks are in trouble.

Anaheim's remaining schedule is the toughest in the conference, fortunately both Oilers and Sharks have almost as tough schedules (statistically speaking).

Colorado 3 Calgary 0

I didn't want to clutter the board but I just wanted to post the remaining games.

vs Pho
at Det
at Chi
at Cls
at Dal
vs Col
vs Nsh
at Pho
at Col
at Dal
vs Dal
vs Van
vs LA
vs Dal
at LA
at Van
at Cgy
at Edm
at SJ
vs Cgy

That's a tough hill to climb, but most of the contenders also have hard schedules minus a couple games.

Well if this team gets in they will be playoff ready with that schedule. They HAVE to beat Phoenix twice, Chicago, and Columbus, can't give away points in those games.

Edmonton 2 Minnesota 1 after 2 periods.

its tied after two isnt it?

Also, Calgary proves no help losing 3-0 to Colorado.

yeah 2-2 Edm-Minn after 2.

originally NHL.com said 2-1.

Edmonton scores...up 3-2 with 12 min left.

Skoula ties it at 3.

Minnesota scores! 8 min left.

30 sec left...

game over, minnesota beats Edmonton 4-3.

game over, minnesota beats Edmonton 4-3.

:highclap: :hyper: :hockey: :banana: :thumbu: :win: :yo: :propeller :clap: :jump: :handclap: :yo:

Skoula ties it at 3.
Skoula is the Man!!
Also, Calgary proves no help losing 3-0 to Colorado.
They should redeem themselves tomorrow, they are good at home while Colorado isn't to great on the road.