Ducks continue their run towards the playoffs

The past week for the Ducks has been extremely productive. They have gone 3-1 since saturday march 15 and have outscored their opponents 10-6. With only five games left in the season, every game becomes extremely crucial. Unfortunately, the Ducks will be without their captain Chris Pronger until the last game of the season. Pronger was suspended 8 games before saturday's game for stepping on a player's ankle during the game again the Canucks.

The first game this week came on saturday against the St. Louis Blues. I was actually able to attend the game during my spring break. This was the Ducks first game during Pronger's current suspension. This was also the Blues 12 loss in their last 13 games. The Ducks took the early lead when Mathieu Schneider scored in the first period. The assists went to Teemu Selanne and Kent Huskins. This was the only score during the first period. In the second period the Blues immediately tied up the score with a goal from Jamal Mayers. The assists went to Jay McClement and Jeff Woywitka. Near the end of the second period the Ducks once again went up with a goal from Teemu Selanne. The assists went to Mathieu Schneider and Scott Niedermayer. Just 54 seconds the Blues tied up the score with a goal from Jeff Woywitka. However, this would be the last puck that got Giguere on the night. Rob Neidermayer would go on the score the Ducks next two goals. Ryan Getzlof would cap off the night with a goal of his own on an empty net. However, even with the victory head coach Randy Carlyle was not enthused.

"We didn’t play to the level that is going to be required here that is for sure," Carlyle said. "We’ll take the win, but we’re going to have to play a higher level than we played tonight, specifically in our next game against Dallas. We think it’s a decent sign that when you don’t play to your best, you still have some success."

The second win came on the road against Dallas as the Ducks began their three game road trip. The Ducks and the Stars have been battling for second place in the Pacific Division behind San Jose. The win allowed the Ducks to take a comfortable three point lead above Dallas for second place. Before this game Dallas was 5-1 against Anaheim this year. In the first period Dallas got the first points put up on the scoreboard when Brenden Morrow scored. In the second period the Ducks tied it up as Scott Niedermayer scored on the assists by Teemu Selanne and Ryan Getzlaf. Near the end of the third period and the score still tied up 1-1, Stars captain Brenden Morrow got a two minute penalty for interference. Todd Bertuzzi took advantage of this as he scored his 14 goal of the season in the final seconds of the game. The Ducks would go on and win the game 2-1.

After their narrow victory against the third place Dallas Stars, the Ducks would then have to face off against the first place San Jose Sharks. The Sharks came into the game winning 13 of their last 14 games. Just 40 seconds into the first period Joe Thornton scored for the Sharks. In the second period Todd Marchant tied up the score with assists from Chris Kunitz and Scott Niedermayer. However, the game wouldnt remail tied for too long. In the third period Jeremy Roenick scored the game winning goal for the Sharks. This put the Sharks seven points above the Ducks for first place.
It appears now the Ducks will take second place in the division which will likely have them facing off against the Stars in the first round of the playoffs. The bad news about this is the Stars seem to find ways to beat the Ducks. The good news is the Ducks are the hotter team right now and will be getting better when Pronger returns from his suspension. The rest of the season should be a blast and every hockey should be excited.