Ducks at the Crossroads

Well, here we go again! Its that time of year once more. A time when we, as fans, love every minute and die with every bad call. Yes, its time for the NHL playoffs. So far, the Ducks have had a hard time with Nashville as was expected. Nashville owned the Ducks with a 3-1 record during the regular season. So far, that's about what the series is leaning towards. If the Ducks lose game 4 Wednesday night, the series will be 3-1 which never looks good for the losing team on a playoff bracket. Whats interesting to note, is that Nashville lost their series against the Chicago Black hawks 4-3, even after Nashville had a 3-1 lead in the series. Could that happen again? Its possible. Will it? I can't say for sure...not the way Nashville has been playing. They have managed to put pressure on the Ducks preventing them from being able to take any shots at the net. Nashville defense has stifled the Ducks offensive, and clearly have figured out a way to beat the Ducks. That's not to say that Anaheim cannot win the series, but it almost seems too exhausting for them to try! Not to mention the suspension of Bobby Ryan for 2 pivotal away games does not help matters anymore.



"I said it, go take a dive!"

 Today, GM Murray went as far as verbally attacking Nashville and accusing them of diving! The best quote of the interview came when Murray said it looked like "soccer" was being played. Now, although Murray opened his team up to more referee justice being handed out Wednesday's night, I am glad he said something. The NHL officiating has been horrendous. The Preds are diving left and right. The Ducks are taking too many penalties and not showing up to play. But the Ducks can win. They won game 2 because they had to. They must win game 4, otherwise give up a psychological victory to Nashville. Wednesday's game will be the most important game of the series...so will game 5, game 6 and game 7.