3 Rounds is a three-part series. Writers select what they feel is the most important individual match-up in the upcoming playoff series and give it an in-depth preview. The second piece is a mid-series assessment of that match-up. In the final installment, we analyze how the match-up contributed to the outcome of the series. If our match-up isn’t the difference-maker, we’ll explore the match-up that DID make the difference.
The Dallas Stars and the Anaheim Ducks are set to square off in what should an interesting battle of styles. The Ducks, a gritty, hard-nosed team lead by the physically intimidating Bruce Boudreau, will try and run-down the speedy, counter-oriented Stars.
The Big Four in the Ducks versus Stars Series
These two styles are epitomized by each team’s top players. This matchup features four of the top 10 scorers in Ryan Getzlaf (31G, 87P) and Corey Perry (43G, 82P) for the Ducks, and Tyler Seguin (37G, 84P) and Jamie Benn (34G, 79P).
In Getzlaf and Perry, the Ducks have two of the premiere power forwards in the game. Getzlaf stands 6’4” while Perry looks up at him from 6’3”. Both enjoy crashing the net and cycling the puck down low, wearing out the opposition’s defenseman.
Seguin and Benn on the other hand are all skill based. Both possess deadly shots and a breathtaking set of hands, and will often knock the puck loose in their own end before breaking out into an even or odd-man rush and scoring off the rush.
Getzlaf and Perry combined for nine points in their three meetings with the Stars, while Benn and Seguin chipped in four. Dallas won the season series 2-1, with each team claiming a 6-3 victory.
With the goaltenders questionable in both creases and both teams relying on their big guns for offense, it will be up to these four players to step up and propel their team forward. Kari Lehtonen battling injury all season and the Duck’s rookies taking the crease, this could end up being a high-scoring affair.
With the Ducks playing at home, expect Boudreau to go power-on-power. Having Getzlaf and Perry bottle Dallas’ top line up in their own end would both neutralize them and wear them down long-term. In their own end, the Ducks’ top skaters have the defensive responsibility to negate the Dallas snipers, and their physicality would limit their ability to play freely in the attacking zone.
Lindy Ruff will look to play his scorers against a checking line, where they can outskate their opponents and hopefully do some damage.
In terms of experience, the Ducks get the obvious edge. Dallas has not made the playoffs since 2008, before Benn or Seguin had even entered the league. Getzlaf and Perry have combined for 104 playoff points in 130 total games.
Seguin may have won a Cup with the Bruins, but it was in a supporting role on a very deep Boston attack group. Both he and Benn will have to adjust to the playoff hockey quickly if they hope to keep up match the Ducks.
The amount of points each set of snipers accumulates will determine which way this series goes. The secondary scoring is questionable for both sides (third scorer for the Ducks is Bonino, 50 points, Goligoski for the Stars with 42 points), and whoever is able to succeed in the playoffs has the best chance of advancing.
Predictions From Our Hockey Department:
Max Vasilyev (93% correct last year): Ducks in six games.
Mitchell Tierney (64% correct last year): Ducks in six games.
Russell McKenzie (57% correct last year): Ducks in six games.
Ben Kerr (57% correct last year): Ducks in five games.
Aaron Wrotkowski: Ducks in six games.
Jacob Cohen: Ducks in five games.
Ken Hill: Ducks in five games.
Charlie Clarke: Ducks in five games.
Shawn Wilken: Ducks in five games.
Dan Rocchi: Ducks in five games.
Cristiano Simonetta: Ducks in five games.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @jacobcohen94. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page.
Interested in writing for LWOS? We are looking for enthusiastic, talented writers to join our writing team. Visit our “Write for Us” page for very easy details in how you can get started today!
