The Anaheim Ducks head to Hockeytown for Game 6 against the Detroit Red Wings with a chance to finish their Western conference first round series after going up 3-2 on Wednesdays.
The Ducks have been able to keep Detroit from getting too many scoring chances and goalie Jonas Hiller has been solid while mostly outplaying Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard, including in the 3-2 overtime win in Game 5 when he stopped 29 shots. The series has been a tough one of both sides and the Red Wings have shown the same grit they had the end of the season when they played well enough to get into the playoffs to keep their two decade old streak alive.
Nick Bonino scored his third goal of the series in Game 5 to get the win in overtime, while Ryan Getzlaf did his part with his third goal of the series as well. The two teams were scoreless in the third period of Game 5 and now that overtime victory will give some momentum to the Ducks as they hit the road for Game 6. Getzlaf added the tying goal earlier in the game and now the Red Wings and goalie Jimmy Howard have to win to stay alive.
The Ducks started off the season with one of the best records in the league and the team ended up finishing second in the conference to the Chicago Blackhawks, who have made quick work of the Minnesota Wild while advancing to the next round. Other series could be moving on to the next round depending on what happens on Friday night, including the Kings and Blues as well as the Bruins and Maple Leafs.
Getzlaf's play during the series has been stellar and he also had a shorthanded goal earlier in the series that gave Anaheim a boost to win Game 3 with a score of 4-0 and he also was able to add the equalizer in the last game. The Ducks know how tough Detroit can be and they will be looking to avoid a possible Game 7 matchup at home by winning on Friday night. The Red Wings will try to get star Henrik Zetterberg going, as he has not yet scored in the playoffs after being the league leader in postseason goals with 48 since 2006, but the Ducks and goalie Jonas Hiller have done a great job of shutting him down for the series.
The Ducks went 30-12-6 this season and ranked eighth in goals scored and ninth in goals allowed while also being in the top 10 for power play percentage. The team was 13th on the penalty klill and won their division. Detroit had to fight their way into the playoffs and the play of Jimmy Howard in net was essential, as the team ranked fifth in goals against and 19th in scoring. The team ranked 15th in power play percentage and 12th on the penalty kill and the Red Wings will need both on Friday night to win.
