Ducks at Nashville, vs Predators

The Ducks are riding high on a three-game winning streak. This is something not seen by this club since what, November of last year? And these have been some glorious wins, let me tell you.

Part of me asks, "Where the HELL was this all season?" But the rest of me is just thankful our boys, who I know have had it in them to perform like this, decided to show us their best stuff when it really counts. Then again, our boys aren't exactly the same boys that went into the trade deadline. The playoff race is only ten games long now and it's do or die. The Ducks are right on the edge of a playoff spot, if they win this one, they'll be in that highly-contended-for eighth spot.

If they win this one. They'll have to pull a four-game winning streak, something that hasn't happened at all this season. Can they do it?

I heard this game live a few hours ago while I was at work. And now I'm writing this blog post off a rebroadcast, since my VCR biffed it and I couldn't record the live telecast. We'll see how comprehensive this is going to be.

Our Ducks have J.S. Giguere in net tonight, and the Predators have Pikka Rinne. The last time these two faced off, just a week or so ago, our Ducks managed a win albeit in overtime. Ideally, they'll take this one in regulation. But, I'll be thankful for any points they take in this game. Against the preds, Giggy holds an impressive 14-7-2 record. But Rinne is a good goaltender and not to be underestimated.

Looking at the stats between the two clubs, they are incredibly close. It makes sense that the score stays 0-0 through the first half of the first period. But not without some great scoring chances for the Ducks. Looks like the Ducks' biggest opponent this game is the plumbing. Ryan Getzlaf biffs a scoring chance by bouncing the puck off the post and we'll see Corey Perry eat pipe at least twice this game.

The first power play of the game goes to the Preds after an interference penalty to Ryan Whitney. It proves harmless however, as the Ducks kill it off and continue to a 0-0 tie at the first intermission.

Our boys have their chance with the extra man early on in the second. Duck-killer Steve Sullivan gets penalized for hooking, but remember, Preds have an incredibly successful penalty kill. I believe it's the 4th in the league. Sure enough, Ducks can't capitalize.

The second period comes to its final five minutes when Teemu Selanne charges down the ice with linemates Drew Miller and Andrew Ebbett. As he draws up to the net, he makes the quick pass to Drew Miller who hits it home. It's not a fancy goal, but it's straight and true... and it's the first of the game. We head into the second intermission with Ducks leading, 1-0.

A duck penalty in the first half of the third allows the Preds to capitalize with that extra man. Shea Weber gets one past Giguere. And now the crowd is in the game, which is tied 1-1.

Now, we're seeing a lot more energy. The audience is cheering, both clubs fighting aggressively for control of the puck. Unfortunately, most of the action is on Anaheim's side of the rink, the Preds outnumbering the Ducks shots on goal 8 to 1. Giggy is on the ball, making save after save. And when our boys actually get control? More pipe for Perry.

Argh!

No goals as the period ends, and now we're in overtime.

Damn, those Pred fans are loud.

Scary moment when the puck manages to clear the Pred zone and then is snatched up by Sullivan who converges alone onto Giguere. Giggy waits him out and suddenly, Sullivan whiffs on the shot and the puck rolls off his stick. Another scary moment for the Preds when Rinne is left sprawling in his crease as the puck bounces right through. Amazingly, nobody scores, but all of the players are huffing and puffing as the game heads into a shootout.

It's only Giguere's third shootout this season, but he's saved 31 shots on goal gamewide. I have faith in you, Giggy!

First up, Perry. Denied, but just barely.

Then, Fiddler up for the Preds. Giggy stays with him the whole time, no goal.

Getzlaf's shot is blocked.

Sullivan, fan favorite, comes in with some major speed. The puck hits pipe.

My boy, Bobby. He tries his tricky hand shot again but loses a handle on the puck. Denied.

Martin Erat. Giggy waits him out too. Blocked!

Selanne with his signature backhand... and it's in!

Pred's Bonk to tie, it's blocked, and Giggy carries the Ducks to the win and another two points to land them into the eighth seed for the playoffs!