Faceoff Factor

Anaheim Ducks vs. Dallas Stars: Game 2 preview

Mike Wilson | National Hockey League

Apr 12, 08:30 PM | Hype this story!

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Anaheim(4) vs. Dallas (5) Game 2
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Series Score: Anaheim 0 – Dallas 1
Game Time: 10:00 EST
Location: Honda Center (Anaheim)
Television: ET, Versus, TSN

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Preview
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The Anaheim Ducks took a hard first-game loss as they fell 4-0 to the Dallas Stars in front of the home crowd at the Honda Center in Anaheim last Thursday.

The key to the game was the special teams. Dallas scored all four goals on the power play as Ott and Eriksson notched the two tallies respectively in the first period, and Lehtinen and Morrow in the second period. Anaheim gave the Stars 11 power play opportunities and allowed 14 shots while short-handed.

Anaheim, on the other hand, was not able to take advantage of the seven power play opportunities presented by Dallas. The Stars penalty kill only gave up six shots and the team as a whole only allowed 23 all night on Turco. The only Anaheim players to reach three shots were Bertuzzi and Selanne.

If the Ducks look to turn the series around in game 2, they need to focus on two things: shooting and discipline. The Dallas special teams is strong and won’t except much opposition, so 5-on-5 shooting will need to be an essential for the Ducks in game 2. In conjunction with the special teams, Anaheim needs to keep Dallas’ off the ice and needs to get a good start to the game without being too aggressive.

As for Dallas, as the saying goes: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Their skaters drew 11 penalties, their power play scored all 4 goals, their defense allowed only 23 total shots and their penalty kill only six, and, finally, their goalie stopped everything thrown his way. If they can keep all of that going into game 2, then there is no doubt the Stars can take the series to Dallas with a two-game advantage.

For a complete list of team leaders and statistics, click here

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Injuries
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Anaheim: none
Dallas: Barch, Day-to day (mild concussion)