The Anaheim Ducks continued their playoff winning ways. Sundays 4-1 victory in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals versus the Chicago Blackhawks pushed the Ducks playoff record to an impressive 9-1.
The Ducks opened the scoring at the 8:48 mark of the first period when defenseman Hampus Lindholm scored. Scoring first in the playoffs for the Ducks almost guarantees a victory. The Ducks are 5-0 in the post season when scoring first.
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The Ducks added another goal at the 4:17 mark of the second period when Kyle Palmieri scored a great goal with the assist from Nate Thompson. The second period remained scoreless until the Blackhawks made it interesting with just 40 seconds remaining. Brad Richards capitalized on a turnover and pulled the score to within a goal.
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The Ducks sealed the deal at the 12:05 mark of the third period when Nate Thompson scored his second of the postseason with an assist from Andrew Cogliano and Hampus Lindholm. Jakub Silverberg scored a crazy empty netter late in the contest to make the final score 4-1.
Anaheim’s top line was not needed in the scoring column, but young stars like Nate Thompson took up the slack. “We can contribute and take some of the pressure off guys like Getzlaff, Perry, Kesler, Beleskey, those guys have kind of been running the ship for us offensively here,” Thompson said. “Whenever we can contribute and help out the team, it definitely bodes well for our team.”
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The Blackhawks will look to even the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday night. Game 2 will be in Anaheim at the Honda Center, at 9:00pm et. (NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports).
Brad Burud the owner/editor of the Inside Edge Hockey News. I am a huge fan of hockey, from youth hockey, to junior hockey, and of course professional hockey. I have played, coached, worked as statistician, and watched hockey all of my life. Hockey is not just a game, it is a lifestyle and family. The game of hockey is great! It can bring you nights of great enjoyment. It also brings nights where you feel like your team will never win. I am proud to be a journalist for the greatest game in the world. I have a degree in Business Administration, Psychology from Minot State University. I also have a Hockey General Manager and Scouting, and Sports Communications/Journalism degree from Sports Management Worldwide. I am also a member of the Sports Executives Association. Most of all I am a fan. Hockey is a huge part of my life and my families life.