Ducks-Blackhawks 4-2

Who saw that one coming?
Few would put money on the Ducks to beat San Jose, few would put money on them to beat Chicago. But to beat both? The economy is a bit too troubled these days to risk money on such crazy ventures.

But the Ducks did it. They stepped up in both games (like they should have been doing all along) and beat the two best teams in the Western Conference to, in a sense give themselves a chance to pull off what a couple days ago was almost impossible (0.4% chance to make the playoffs).

The Ducks played the Chicago Blackhawks last night on St. Patrick's day (also Bobby Ryan's birthday). Playing what could have been the most essential game on the schedule.
And they rose to the occasion once again.

The win came without Anaheim's top line center, Ryan Getzlaf, who, unlike Selanne, was not cleared to play. But, as required at this time of year, the Ducks stepped up their game and gave a winning effort.

Bobby Ryan scored two goals that night (30, 31) making it back to back 30 goal seasons for the young scorer. Only two other Ducks have that distinction and they are widely considered the team's all time best forwards (Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya). He is also the first Duck to get back to back 30 goal seasons in a player's rookie and sophomore year.

Teemu Selanne did not reach number 600 (though not for lack of trying) but he will get another opprotunity to do so friday vs. the Islanders. In the meantime, Todd Marchant picked up a shorthanded goal on a broken play by the Blackhawks powerplay. Then Saku Koivu scored the eventual game winner, with Bobby Ryan putting the puck in the empty net in the final minute of the game. Hiller made 38 saves in another stellar performance.

The game wasn’t all smiles. In the third period James Wisniewski laid a vicious high hit on Brent Seabrook that left him dazed and caused him to collapse and left him injured. It was the second time a vicious hit took out a Blackhawks player (Ovechkin on Campbell) from the line up.

Wisniewski now faces a potential suspension for the his since Ovechkin who laid a similar hit received a two game suspension. Wisniewski also fought with former teammate Nik Boyton.

The Ducks will go on to play the New York Islanders on Friday, one of the “easier” games ahead of the schedule. The remaining games will not be easy by any stretch of the imagination, but these two wins certainly will not do anything to hurt their confidence (just a reminder the 3 games up ahead we cannot lose are vs. Calgary, St. Louis, and Dallas not even an OT).
Top performers:
Jonas Hiller 38 saves,
Bobby Ryan 2 goals
Koivu GWG