Ducks Appear Ready for Conference Finals

May 8, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Anaheim Ducks left wing Patrick Maroon (19) celebrates his goal against the Calgary Flames during the third period in game four of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome. Anaheim Ducks won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

The Anaheim Ducks were the best team in the Western Conference for the majority of the season and their strong play has continued through the playoffs. While it may have felt like a Ducks-Blackhawks Conference Finals matchup was inevitable the teams still had games to play.

The Blackhawks never trailed during their four game sweep of the Wild and the Ducks dominated Games 1 and 2 before losing Game 3 on the road. Last night the Ducks fought off a great effort by the Flames but managed to hold on and increase their series lead to 3-1.

The Ducks absolutely dominated Games 1 and 2 on home ice. The team played fast and physical and appeared to be on a completely different level than the Flames. The Ducks outshot and outhit the Flames by wide margins in each game. The fact that the Ducks had playoff experience was very evident while it was also clear that the Flames are a young team and still have players to develop before they are ready to compete with teams like Anaheim and Chicago.

The Ducks do have playoff experience but have been unable to follow strong regular season efforts with a postseason run. This year the team appears to be different; the team continues to stick to its system and physical approach and it is working. After a long break due to sweeping Winnipeg fans may have been concerned the Ducks wouldn’t be ready to play against a team like the Flames.

Ducks’ teams from previous years may have responded differently than this team. Star players Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry have been phenomenal and have spearheaded both the offensive attack and physical play.

However Game 4 was different because neither of the two aforementioned superstars even registered a point. The depth of the team was on full display; the goals were scored by Andrew Cogliano Mat Beleskey, Patrick Maroon and Jakob Silfverberg. These players have played key roles on the Ducks all year round and have been able to continue to support Getzlaf and Perry, especially on nights like the last when neither of the two score.

The Ducks certainly appear to be the team who has the best chance to take down the Blackhawks. Chicago has defeated the Blues and the Wild, two teams that are stronger than the Winnipeg and Calgary teams the Ducks have played this postseason. Chicago has not shown signs of being worn down but, after playing a team like Anaheim, fatigue could be a factor while the Ducks should be fresher after playing two lesser opponents.

Assuming the Ducks are able to finish of the Flames the Western Conference is setting up to be a classic matchup between two heavyweight teams. Whether it is the Ducks or Chicago coming out of the West it is difficult to imagine an Eastern Conference team making quick work of either team in the Stanley Cup Final.

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