When Anaheim travels to Detroit to open the 2nd round, they will be marked as the 8th seed in the playoffs, but this team is much better than the lowest seed in the Western Conference. Powered by young phenom Jonas Hiller in net, the Ducks systematically worked through the San Jose Sharks, upsetting the President’s Trophy winners in six games. However, San Jose has beena team plagued with playoff failure, while Detroit is one of the most consistently competitive franchises in the NHL.
Offense: Detroit manhandled the Columbus Blue Jackets as they swept their first round series, but they have one of the most effective and versatile attacks. Their skill players are also some of their best defensive forwards in the league, including Marian Hossa and Pavel Datsyuk. Anaheim has a physical attack, led by power forward Ryan Getzlaf, but they don’t have the total offensive skill possessed by Detroit.
Advantage: Detroit
Defense: Detroit has some of the best defensemen in the league on their blueline, including Nicklas Lidstrom and hard-hitting Niklas Kronwall. However, Anaheim’s trade deadline acquisitions of Ryan Whitney and James Wisniewski give them arguably the top 5 defensive groups in the league. Don’t forget that this group is led by tow of the most experienced defensemen in the NHL, Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger.
Advantage: Anaheim
Goaltending: Chris Osgood is an excellent goalie, and has proven that he can win consistently in the playoffs. However, the only reason that the Anaheim Ducks are still in the playoffs is between the posts. Jonas Hiller recorded two shutouts against one of the league’s best offenses in his first ever playoff appearance. Hiller will be tested by the multiple lines of scorers that Detroit has to throw at him, but he may very well be up to the task.
Advantage: Anaheim
Special Teams: Detroit has one of the most feared powerplay units in the NHL, while Anaheim’s physical style of play could get them into penalty trouble. That could spell bad news for Anaheim, considering the Red Wings converted on nearly a third of their power play opportunities against Columbus. The Ducks are a fairly consistent powerplay team, converting nearly a quarter of their chances this season. Detroit’s lethal system will be too much for their undisciplined penalty kill to handle.
Advantage: Detroit
On paper, this series would seem to favor the Red Wings, given their high seed and immense talent. However, San Jose was a very skilled team that was simply outworked by Anaheim in the first round. The physical style of play that the Ducks have embraced is very effective and could work against the disciplined and measured attack of the Red Wings. Still, Detroit should have the depth to overpower the Ducks in a prolonged series. Red Wings in 7