The Anaheim Ducks (30-12-6) take on the Detroit Red Wings (24-16-8) for the seventh time in playoff history; Anaheim has not played any other team more than the Wings in the postseason.
A year after hitting rock-bottom in the Pacific Division, the Ducks shocked the NHL by winning the division and clinching the second seed in the West. Their opponents struggled to secure their 22nd straight postseason berth but eventually managed it thanks to strong leadership and depth.
These two sides have major playoff history, with the winner usually running all the way to the Stanley Cup finals. These teams last met in the playoffs back in 2008-09 when the Wings last won the Stanley Cup. The two teams met in the second round and Anaheim pushed Detroit to seven games. In 2007, Anaheim defeated the Wings en route to the franchise's only Cup win. In 2003, the Ducks (then named the Mighty Ducks) stunned the Red Wings with a sweep in the first round before losing in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals. In 1997, the Anaheim Ducks were opponents to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Red Wings. Neither side is considered a top contender for the top prize this year, but if history repeats itself, they might be.
Detroit Wins if... It plays with the same desperation that it closed out the season with. The Wings have had problems on defense all year and will hope that goalie Jimmy Howard lives up to the big contract he recently received. Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg also need to lead this team offensively as they have over the years in the playoffs.
Anaheim Wins if... It continues to get solid goaltending from its questionable tandem. Jonas Hiller has a tendency to be inconsistent while Viktor Fasth has no playoff experience. Scoring from Teemu Selanne and Bobby Ryan will also be essential; Selanne scored 15 of his 24 points in the first 13 games of the year while Ryan scored 21 of his 30 points in the first 26 games of the year.
Prediction: The Red Wings will push this series to the brink and win in seven; 4-3 Red Wings.