Sport News Blog

As defending Stanley Cup champions, the Anaheim Ducks shouldn't require bulletin board fodder or messages on the dressing-room blackboard for motivation.

A quick glance at Wednesday's game summary showing four Dallas power-play goals in seven chances probably is enough to get Ducks players fired up for Game 2 of the Western Conference quarter-final on Saturday in Anaheim (7 p.m. PT).

The Stars' Phillipe Boucher punches Anaheim's Teemu Selanne to draw a roughing penalty in Game 1.
(Kevork Djansezian/Associated Press)

"It is a little tough to watch," Ducks forward Travis Moen, whose elbowing penalty led to Steve Ott's opening goal in a 4-0 loss, said after Friday's video session. "Usually when you watch it on video, it makes it look worse."

Forwards Brian Sutherby and Ryan Getzlaf and defenceman Francois Beauchemin also sat in the penalty box as the Stars beat Anaheim goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere for the sixth time in nine meetings this season.

Loui Eriksson, Jere Lehtinen and Brenden Morrow all one-timed passes that travelled through the slot.

"They've got some forwards that like to hang onto the puck down low and then they pop out the other guy in the slot," Moen told the Los Angeles Times. "Us forwards at the top, we've got to recognize that, and drop down and pick him up."

When Ducks players arrived for Friday's workout, a new message was scrawled on the board in the dressing room: "It's a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness."

Taking advantage of Anaheim's undisciplined play is nothing new for Dallas, which has made good on 13 of 30 power-play chances in those six victories.

Wednesday marked a new low for Anaheim — the NHL's most penalized squad in 2007-08 — as the four power-play goals against were the most it has given up in 72 post-season contests.

"We have to be a lot more disciplined and do a lot better job on the penalty killing," said right-winger Rob Niedermayer. "We were ready to go. We just took some bad penalties, and that takes away from our game."

Listless effort shows

Besides taking 11 minor penalties, Anaheim lost battles in the corners in Game 1 and showed a lack of second effort.

The Ducks also went 19 minutes, 30 seconds without a shot on Stars netminder Marty Turco during a stretch in the first and second periods, which doesn't bode well for a team that had trouble scoring all season.

The Ducks outshot Dallas 8-2 in the first period, most coming in the opening 10 minutes, but Turco stood his ground before Anaheim got into penalty trouble.

Turco stopped 23 shots for his first-ever win in a series opener and fourth shutout in his last eight playoff games. Many believe Turco must outplay Giguere if Dallas hopes to avenge a conference semifinal loss to the Ducks in 2003.

"It was a great game, because we played for 60 minutes and everybody dug in together," Stars centre Mike Modano said. "It's how we played with and without the puck, how we stayed disciplined, how we took a hit to make the play, how we went the extra mile."

Still reason for caution?

It just might pay off, considering Dallas boasts an 8-1 series record since 1993 when prevailing in Game 1. But the Stars remain cautious.

"You're never in a good place against the Stanley Cup champions," Ott said. "They've battled through adversity, same as we have.

"It's great that we're up 1-0, but at the same time, we know they're going to answer the bell and we've got to raise our level."

Meanwhile, Anaheim went 5-0 last season following a playoff loss.

But changes could be in order for Saturday as centre Doug Weight, a Game 1 scratch, skated with Chris Kunitz and Teemu Selanne during Friday's workout. Also, Ryan Carter centred the fourth line instead of Sutherby.

With files from the Associated PressPost a commentPeople have commented on this storyRecommend this storyPeople have recommended this storyStory Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKStory comments (0)Sort:Most recent | First to last | Most recommended

0Post your comment

Note: The CBC does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comments, you acknowledge that CBC has the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Please note that comments are pre-moderated/reviewed and published according to our submission guidelines.

Comment:Characters allowed: 2500PostSubmission policy