GDT: WCSF: Game 7 Ducks VS Kings; 05/16/2014

Western Conference Simi-Finals


Ducks VS Kings

Game 7


Series Tied 3-3

Game 1: Kings win OT 3-2
Game 2: Kings win 3-1
Game 3: Ducks win 3-2
Game 4: Ducks win 2-0
Game 5: Ducks win 4-3
Game 6: Kings win 2-1


In Anaheim,CA

@6:00 P.M. Pacific Time




Preview:

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Ducks, Kings to Battle in a Game 7 for the Ages



KINGS at DUCKS


(Best-of-7 series tied 3-3)


TV: NBCSN, TSN, RDS


Big story: The Anaheim Ducks are looking to reach the NHL's final four for the first time since winning the Stanley Cup in 2007. To do so, they'll have go through an LA Kings squad that's looking to advance to the Western Conference Final for the third straight year.


For the second straight round, a series featuring two teams from California will need a winner-take-all Game 7. Anaheim and Los Angeles have scored 13 goals apiece in this series, just as the Kings and San Jose Sharks each scored 21 before their deciding game.


Ducks forward Andrew Cogliano says the team will, in a sense, throw caution to the wind.


“We’re really excited,” he said. “Obviously we were disappointed last night with not closing it out, but we’re in a good spot. This is Game 7. We were down 2-0 in the series, and if someone gave us an option of going to Game 7 at that point, a lot of guys would’ve taken it.


“At the end of the day, you have to seize the moment. We just have to go for it. When you play safe, especially against good teams, you have no chance of winning. When we’ve been successful, especially in the playoffs, we’ve really pushed the issue. There’s nothing to be nervous about.”



Team Scope:


Ducks: There is a finality for one side of every Game 7, and for Anaheim beyond winning and defeating their Southern California rival, it would extend the career of forward Teemu Selanne. The 43-year-old has said he will retire after this season, and he's had a strong series for the Ducks.


"We know that is could be everybody's last game for the season. Teemu is incredibly important to this organization," defenseman Ben Lovejoy said. "The Samuelis own the team but Teemu has been the team forever. But [tonight], this is bigger than Teemu. This is for our season.


"We need to be ready to go for everybody. For all 20 guys. For the hundreds of people that work for this team. This is obviously an incredibly important game."


Kings: Los Angeles has plenty of experience in Game 7s, including three forwards (Justin Williams, Mike Richards, Marian Gaborik) who are 5-0 in series-deciding games. Williams is the headliner of the group, and his reputation in these situations precedes him. He has five goals and 10 points in his five Game 7s.


"I don't think you can really prepare much for this," Williams said. "You just go out and trust your instincts and, hopefully, they'll bring you to success."


Who's hot: Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf has seven points in the series, including at least one in every game except for Game 6. ... Kings forward Trevor Lewis scored six times in 73 games during the regular season; he has a goal in back-to-back games and has scored four times this postseason.


Injury report: Ducks defenseman Stephane Robidas (broken leg), forward Matt Beleskey (lower body) and goaltender Frederik Andersen (lower body) are out. ... Kings defenseman Willie Mitchel (undisclosed) skated Thursday with teammates during an optional practice; he hasn't played in this series. Defenseman Robyn Regehr (undisclosed) is out.

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