http://cdn.nhl.com/images/minibanner/ANA.gifvs. http://cdn.nhl.com/images/minibanner/LAK.gif


Ducks 28-25-5 vs Kings 24-22-9
TV: FSW (sans rinkside view!)
Radio: 830
Webcast: Yahoo (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/hockeynight/2009021825) for non-So Cal people. Or those who know proxies.

Preview (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/preview?gid=2009021825).

Last game before a tough road trip. A HUGE game if they want to make the playoffs.

Tonight features a matchup of the 9th and 11th place teams. Both teams are going to be fighting for a playoff berth.

LA's been playing well recently. 6-2-2 in the last 10 (but the last games were 2 shootout losses preceded by a loss). Anaheim is 5-5 in the last 10 (how's that for mediocre). Both teams had horrible defense in their last games, all to Craplanta.

The Reg thinks Hiller may be starting (http://ducks.freedomblogging.com/2009/02/18/ducks-likely-to-call-on-hiller/6981/). I don't think Giguere was bad last game, but he did give up 5 goals in 25 shots. And as a stated "1a, 1b" situation, you'd also expect Hiller to be in net after a loss.

Mikkelson's back and may be playing. I can barely contain my enthusiasm.

It's a big game against the regional rival. The Kings are hot enough to maybe not be considered a bad team like the Thrashers. Also the Ducks should bring the effort after the bad loss. Instead of expecting a bad loss like last game, I think this one is a toss-up. Maybe slight edge to the Ducks.


7.5 losses left. Someone punch one of Getzlaf's teeth out.

Hiller is 4-0 career against the kings, so I would also expect him to start. Must win tonight. I've had my getzlaf shirt on all day, hopefully he will play like he just saw a dentist.

Yeah, we really need Getzlaf to show up tonight if we hope to win.

More than anything I'd like to see some animosity in this game. Ducks/Kings games have been totally dead this season.

No more stupid penalties. There is a thin line between an aggressive team and a stupid team. This team likes to play around with that line.

The ketchup better come out pouring this game.

Hiller in goal confirmed?

Huge game...expecting playoff-like battle 2nite.

Really need to know the net minder for the Ducks! Is it Hiller?

Really need to know the net minder for the Ducks! Is it Hiller?
Yup.

Hey guys, I come in peace.

I just had a question about Andrew Ebbett. Where exactly did he come from and how has he been for you guys this year. I pay attention to the Ducks almost as much as the Kings due to the close vicinity but was completely unaware of Ebbett.

Hey guys, I come in peace.

I just had a question about Andrew Ebbett. Where exactly did he come from and how has he been for you guys this year. I pay attention to the Ducks almost as much as the Kings due to the close vicinity but was completely unaware of Ebbett.
http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=608416
http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?p=17952454
http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?p=17952487
http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?p=17952910

He's pretty good offensively, somewhat deficient defensively. Long term borderline 2nd line talent.

Pretty quick, fits well with Ryan (chemistry from the AHL).

Ducks look good so far.

PP Ducks. Yay. Kunitz had a big hit that shift.

Something I don't understand, and I feel like I keep saying this, is why Carlyle keeps screwing with the lines, particularly when it seems some chemistry is coming. Ryan, selanne, and ebbett combine for four goals last game, so Carlyle breaks them up?

Ebbett physics: get elbowed/hit high.

Bad PP so far.

1-0 thanks to horrible defense.

What a surprise, the other team scores first.

Ducks don't look like they want to even try and make the playoffs.

Wow, Niedermayer just got beat wide....by Kyle freakin' Calder :laugh:.

that was miserable. How does niedermayer get beaten like that?

The Ducks have scored first 2 times in the past 18 games (inclusive).

One of those was only because it was a shutout. :sarcasm:

PP still sucks.

http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=608416
http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?p=17952454
http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?p=17952487
http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?p=17952910

He's pretty good offensively, somewhat deficient defensively. Long term borderline 2nd line talent.

Pretty quick, fits well with Ryan (chemistry from the AHL).

Thanks. He is just an elbow magnet. At least he got the penalty this time though.

Something I don't understand, and I feel like I keep saying this, is why Carlyle keeps screwing with the lines, particularly when it seems some chemistry is coming. Ryan, selanne, and ebbett combine for four goals last game, so Carlyle breaks them up?

because he's gay.

Huge game...expecting playoff-like battle 2nite.
Heh.

******** call on Perry.

Perry takes yet another offensive-zone penalty. Although that's kind of a lame call.

That was a great penalty kill. Or a bad PP whichever way you want to look at it.

Getzlaf, Selanne, and Perry all look as if they're at the end of a long shift on every shift. I wonder if the flu is still going around, or if they played spin the bottle at Pahlsson's house.

Getzlafs line looks alot better this period.

Wow. 2-0 now.

You gotta be kidding me. My hockey team plays better defense than this team.

This team is disappointing on so many levels. So much talent, but can't do anything right. When was the last time we scored first in consecutive games?

2-1 Selanne scores on a fanned shot.

Has anyone ever eaten at Oggi's? I've never heard of them.

Terrible shot, but its a goal. 2-1

Hedican's been a lot more physical in the last 4 or 5 games. If he could play like that more often I'd love to have him back.

Kings forecheck pwns the Ducks. I'm surprised they didn't draw a penalty or score a goal or something.

This team needs to get back to the basics. Shoot the puck, crash the net, create traffic, protect the crease, clear the zone, forecheck... etc.

As soon as I took my getzlaf shirt off, he wins the faceoff and selanne scores. Looks like no more ducks apparel for me for the rest of the playoffs.

Learn to clear the #!$@%^&* defensive zone!

As soon as I took my getzlaf shirt off, he wins the faceoff and selanne scores. Looks like no more ducks apparel for me for the rest of the playoffs.

One thing at a time.

And by playoffs I mean season. Although this is basically the playoffs for us.

Morrison can't even pass from the half wall to the point on the PP.

That was a blatant dive.

Weren't they just talking earlier about how strong Brown is on his skates? That he has a low center of gravity and can't get knocked down?

Yeah.

Although Selanne did make contact when he shouldn't have.

Getzlaf is a pretty well rounded player and all, but he needs to work on his cardio.

Booooo to this game.

Getzlaf is a pretty well rounded player and all, but he needs to work on his cardio.


And faceoffs.

And faceoffs.
And his face[/kingsfan]

Weren't they just talking earlier about how strong Brown is on his skates? That he has a low center of gravity and can't get knocked down?

Yeah.

Although Selanne did make contact when he shouldn't have.

Brown is quite the diver for a guy who epitomizes what hockey is all about!

And by playoffs I mean season. Although this is basically the playoffs for us.

Us too. Thought it would be a more intense game.

Looking forward to a playoff-like third!

Johnson is having a terrible game.

That's what we need from getzlaf 2-2.

Did Kunitz just dive there Brown-style?

Dayam. Nice move by Getzlaf.

<3 Getzlaf

In a manly way of course...

It's nice to see other teams taking stupid penalties too.

No, Kunitz just dove Kunitz-style for the second time this game.

But yes, very very nice finish by Getzlaf.

Frolov is ridiculously strong on the puck.

Why isn't Kunitz on either PP unit? RC really has more faith in Morrison than Kunitz?

Nice rush by Niedermayer with Ebbett. Almost set Ebbett up.

Getzlaf seems to be just messing around with them.

Pronger is this close to kissing Simmonds.

Pronger will play his 1000th game in Detroit.

Think they will cheer for him? :sarcasm:

How did the refs miss that high stick?? Were they looking at the crowd instead of the game?

Good. Get mad, Bobby.

How did the refs miss that high stick?? Were they looking at the crowd instead of the game?
dkLb1xgLXLI

Add that to the list of games ducks have came back and tied only to lose. What the hell was Pronger doing letting Brown stand all alone in front of Hiller.

Just cant stop taking costly penalties.

Hah Ducks never amaze me.

And that's game, and season.

Stupid, stupid, stupid penalties.

Just a stupid lazy penalty by Niedermayer. Damn has the guy ever lost a step.

Just a stupid lazy penalty by Niedermayer. Damn has the guy ever lost a step.

That end to end rush just proved otherwise.

Nice hit by Ryan. He just swats away Richardson like a gnat.

Stupid time to take a penalty.

Lets have a brawl.

Niedermayer decks Quick.

In a sense it was dumb. But it may serve as a wake-up call for the team. A brawl would spark some passion.

Possible turning point of the season.

That end to end rush just proved otherwise.

Oh he can still skate but his hands are gone, that finish or attempted finish proves this.

Niedermayer takes ANOTHER STUPID PENALTY.

hahahhahahahaha

5 on 3?

Atta boys Niedermayer, put the final two nails in the coffin!

Why does Niedermayer get a roughing call, I see the goalie interference but he did nothing afterwards.

5 on 3?

Of course its a 5 on 3. Your captain ran into there goalie.

Oh he can still skate but his hands are gone, that finish or attempted finish proves this.

Niedermayer takes ANOTHER STUPID PENALTY.

hahahhahahahaha

If his hands were gone then how did he undress the kings defenseman? He's never been much of a finisher anyway.

Atta boys Niedermayer, put the final two nails in the coffin!
Scott just gave up the game, but it may be the kind of thing to turn the season around. We'll see.

Possible turning point of the season.

Turning point for the worst.

Hopefully Pronger and Niedermayer are gone by the next home game.

If his hands were gone then how did he undress the kings defenseman? He's never been much of a finisher anyway.

He didnt undress anyone. He got a pass thru the neutral zone and simply skated right thru the middle where there was no defencemen. His hands are gone. He just cost your team the game and hes been horrible that entire period. The guy has lost a step and anyone who disagree is a bigtime homer.

FFS.

The only way we make the playoffs is with a miracle. I officially jump on the "sale" bandwagon.

4-3 wow imagine f they didn't take those penaltie

He didnt undress anyone. He got a pass thru the neutral zone and simply skated right thru the middle where there was no defencemen. His hands are gone. He just cost your team the game and hes been horrible that entire period. The guy has lost a step and anyone who disagree is a bigtime homer.

You're a moron.

If he's lost anything, he's lost the will to battle every night.

This team loves to do too little too late.

Well fellow Ducks fans, it was nice while it lasted. See you guys next year.

3 Pt night for Getzlaf, at least he's back to dominating.

He didnt undress anyone. He got a pass thru the neutral zone and simply skated right thru the middle where there was no defencemen. His hands are gone. He just cost your team the game and hes been horrible that entire period. The guy has lost a step and anyone who disagree is a bigtime homer.

The guy has arguably been the Ducks best player since January and still an elite defenseman thay anyteam would love to have on their roster and anyone who disagrees doesn't know what they are talking about.

Please! Go Ducks! TIE THAT GAME!

1600$ in my pocket if you do! One-time! Please!

Ignore the troll pls. Don't fall for the bait.

This team loves to do too little too late.

Well it should make for an exciting finish...because our time likes to give up the late goal!

Holy crap. Bedlam. OD(?) took a run at Kunitz. Everyone taking runs at everyone.

Holy crap. Bedlam. OD(?) took a run at Kunitz. Everyone taking runs at everyone.

Haha. Playoff intensity for the last 3ish minutes of the game.

A million dollars says the play he is drawing up doesn't score us a goal.

Well, thats the season. Definitely time to start the Rebuild. I'm still optimistic that with a few good moves, this team will be back in contention after next season.

Thats the season done.

Good, albeit fairly boring (on both sides) game until the end.

Well, thats the season. Definitely time to start the Rebuild. I'm still optimistic that with a few good moves, this team will be back in contention after next season.

Well, you guys definitely have some valuable commodities. Do you really think things will get blown up?

I'm really looking forward to the day this rivalry isn't artificial.

Scott just gave up the game, but it may be the kind of thing to turn the season around. We'll see.
Nah. There's no emotion in that room. Here's hoping Saviormayer is wandering around the Penguins or Capitals locker room in a couple weeks.

3 Pt night for Getzlaf, at least he's back to dominating.
Getzlaf had about 6 good shifts.

Getzlaf had about 6 good shifts.

Baby steps my friend. He turned it on the last half of the game, don't try and ruin the only positives I can blanket myself with this season.

Hey guys, I just graphically summarized this (and every) game.
http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/3400/graphsdt1.jpg (http://img238.imageshack.us/my.php?image=graphsdt1.jpg)

Hey guys, I just graphically summarized this (and every) game.
http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/3400/graphsdt1.jpg (http://img238.imageshack.us/my.php?image=graphsdt1.jpg)
[URL=http://g.imageshack.us/img238/graphsdt1.jpg/1/]

:laugh:

Hey guys, I just graphically summarized this (and every) game.
http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/3400/graphsdt1.jpg (http://img238.imageshack.us/my.php?image=graphsdt1.jpg)

LOL. The scale needs to go to -40 from minutes 0 to 20. Is there a worse 1st period team in the league?

Meh, I'm kinda glad they lost. This team doesn't have it and beating teams like LA just gives false sense of hope when the fact remains that this team simply isn't goign anywhere.

Trade Pronger and Scotty, this team needs to start planning for the future.

Good for the Kings, I kinda hope thy make it to play-offs. A few years ago I'd been mad after loss to the Kings but after the Cup win it just doesn't feel that bad.

Scotty was just plain terrible.

The team has quit on the coach and has for a while, they coast and play stupid way to often, hopefully this loss will not lead to any misguided attempts to deplete our prospect pool, and hopefully we can move the vets on this team, who are really the ones that have shown the least heart for picks, prospects and capspace

LOL. The scale needs to go to -40 from minutes 0 to 20. Is there a worse 1st period team in the league?
The Kings were pretty bad the past few games. And actually for the beginning of the season it was the 2nd 20 minutes that was killing the Ducks, not the first period.

But yeah, pretty dismal in general.

Let's sum up this game in a few ways...

S.Niedermayer, our captain, takes two ****ing dumbass penalties to cost us the game.

George Parros gets his contract extension and becomes the player that went unclaimed on waivers a few seasons ago.

Last thing I want to add: I would just like to give a big F U C K YOU! to everyone who thinks Montador is a good defensemen. I swear it amazes me that so many people think he's anything but a 5/6 defensemen. He plays on the bottom pairing, who plays primarily with the top line on the ice. His job is to dump the puck in the zone. Let Getzlaf and the others cycle and occasionally pass them the puck to just shoot on net. I get more scared when he has the puck more then any other player, including Morrison. He's the reason Moen took his penalty in the game. Not only does he **** up there, but our only chance to stay in the zone at the end of the game. He accidently passes it to the other team. So to all of you who says he's any kind of a priority in the offseason... Yeah go **** yourself and get over his occasional lucky goal.

Fun game at Honda. Kings fans thought they won the cup and they still wear glitter. :)
To bad we pissed away a lot of easy games early on. Oh well, let's punish some teams on this roadtrip.

Hey guys, I just graphically summarized this (and every) game.
http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/3400/graphsdt1.jpg (http://img238.imageshack.us/my.php?image=graphsdt1.jpg)

Avatar? Yeah...

Blow up

http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2008020858

"It will be tough. We're playing some good teams on the road," said Ducks captain Scott Niedermayer, who was in the penalty box for both of the Kings third-period power play goals. "But, maybe that is what the doctor ordered, get out together and us against everybody else. We'll see how it goes."

*shivers*

ooh. Feel the leadership oozing out.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2008020858



*shivers*

ooh. Feel the leadership oozing out.
He sounds really confident

Fun game at Honda. Kings fans thought they won the cup and they still wear glitter. :)
To bad we pissed away a lot of easy games early on. Oh well, let's punish some teams on this roadtrip.

You are way too positive for this thread.


I should also add that the Marchant-RNieds-Moen line sucked donkey balls.

So to all of you who says he's any kind of a priority in the offseason... Yeah go **** yourself and get over his occasional lucky goal.

Yeah, why waste your time with guys like Montador when you can just sign 6 Bouwmeesters.

I haven't seen anyone claim that he's anything more than a good 5-6 dman, which is in contrast to the beginning of the season when he was a bad 5-6 dman. He'll make mistakes and he's limited. So is every other replacement.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2008020858



*shivers*

ooh. Feel the leadership oozing out.

LOL we'll see how it goes. I used to use that line when I actually worked for a living as well...you see how that went.

You are way too positive for this thread.


I should also add that the Marchant-RNieds-Moen line sucked donkey balls.

It's so unnecessary to have a shut down line when

1. They aren't shutting down anyone
2. You are always trailing in the game and you know for the minute they are on the ice, they will not be scoring a goal and thus just wasting valuable time.

Avatar? Yeah...
That would be a great avatar, but I sadly don't think it will work that small.

It's so unnecessary to have a shut down line when

1. They aren't shutting down anyone
2. You are always trailing in the game and you know for the minute they are on the ice, they will not be scoring a goal and thus just wasting valuable time.
2 is the thing about Carlyle that bugs me the most.


Observation: The team does seem to play better the last few minutes of each game they're losing. Like in that graph. Observation 2: In the last few minutes of a loss, they DO tend to play the offensive players more than the shutdown players. To try to tie it up. Extrapolation: Is part of the reason why the team looks better BECAUSE those lines are getting more time and rhythm (consistent shifts). Extrapolation 2: Would we be better if the first 2 lines played more throughout the game?

Yeah, why waste your time with guys like Montador when you can just sign 6 Bouwmeesters.

I haven't seen anyone claim that he's anything more than a good 5-6 dman, which is in contrast to the beginning of the season when he was a bad 5-6 dman. He'll make mistakes and he's limited. So is every other replacement.

I don't get the point of your sarcasm. I never said we had to sign 6 Bouwmeesters, but I am tired of all the Montador love, and hearing that he is a must resign. And yes I've heard several say that he's capable of being more then a 5/6. People get facinated with the fact that he fights occasionally and leads the team in +-. Not to mention those that keep saying he should be a priority in the offseason. He turns the puck over way to much for a defensemen, especially a bottom pairing one. Their job is to not screw up for the 15 minutes they have on the ice. Huskins is a better 5/6 then him, yeah Huskins.

I'll admit I was a little pissed off last night, but i've been sick of this obsession with Montador lately. He's not a priority at all IMO. The way I see it, we already have Brookbank as our 6/7th guy next year. Festerling is probably a lock for the team next year too. So it's going to turn into a choice of Huskins or Montador. I'll take last year's Huskins over this years Montador any day of the week.

I don't get the point of your sarcasm. I never said we had to sign 6 Bouwmeesters, but I am tired of all the Montador love, and hearing that he is a must resign. And yes I've heard several say that he's capable of being more then a 5/6. People get facinated with the fact that he fights occasionally and leads the team in +-. Not to mention those that keep saying he should be a priority in the offseason. He turns the puck over way to much for a defensemen, especially a bottom pairing one. Their job is to not screw up for the 15 minutes they have on the ice. Huskins is a better 5/6 then him, yeah Huskins.

I'll admit I was a little pissed off last night, but i've been sick of this obsession with Montador lately. He's not a priority at all IMO. The way I see it, we already have Brookbank as our 6/7th guy next year. Festerling is probably a lock for the team next year too. So it's going to turn into a choice of Huskins or Montador. I'll take last year's Huskins over this years Montador any day of the week.
Montador is like a 5, borderline 4 at best. Nevertheless, he is a priority. The sad thing is that's still probably our 3rd best guy currently. But that's not why he's a priority.

And I still prefer him over Huskins this year. Huskins is horrible this year.

We have no defensemen for next year, including no 2nd pairing guys. We need to get some bodies signed so they don't have to try to get them all at once.

Montador is like a 5, borderline 4 at best. Nevertheless, he is a priority. The sad thing is that's still probably our 3rd best guy currently. But that's not why he's a priority.

And I still prefer him over Huskins this year. Huskins is horrible this year.

We have no defensemen for next year, including no 2nd pairing guys. We need to get some bodies signed so they don't have to try to get them all at once.

That's why it's nice to have the inside track on a couple of these guys, and also why Beauchemin's injury could be a godsend. A lineup that includes Montador, Beauchemin, and Hedican isn't half bad, but it lacks an anchor.