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Anaheim Ducks show playoff depth in ousting Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets were the solid upset pick in the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs. Size, speed, good puck possession numbers? Add what was supposed to be an absurd home ice advantage at the white out crazed MTS Centre and the Jets seemed a tough out. But it didn’t play out that way in the first round against Anaheim. And wow was I so wrong on the prior linked column.
Though the series felt much closer than the final game score indicated, the Ducks swept the Jets out of the playoffs in a 5-2 victory Wednesday night at the MTS Centre.
“They just seemed a little more confident in one-goal games. The first three could have gone either way. For a good portion, we were in control but they were able to come back every time we got up on them,” said Jets defenceman Mark Stuart. “We just weren't able to get over the hump, but I'm proud of the way we played.”
Ryan Kesler scored two third period goals in the victory, including the game winner. Overall, the Ducks top players showed up in a major way while the Jets’ best guys were mostly silent. Dustin Byfuglien was a minus-4, and Blake Wheeler and Drew Stafford scored one goal each. Corey Perry finished the series with seven points and Kesler had three goals, all scored on the road.
Love Kesler's goal celebration – it’s like wrestling villain taunting the crowd. Only he’s wearing skates and not roided up.
Via the Orange County Register:
Kesler scored three goals in the two road games, saying the taunts directed his way from the sellout crowd of 15,016 “energized me.”
“Amazing,” Kesler said. “Especially when they’re heckling and yelling and booing. Obviously I wanted to silence this crowd tonight. And that’s what we did.”
The Jets organization – which goes back to the Atlanta Thrashers, even though many Canadians seem to often forget this obvious fact – has still never won a playoff game in eight tries. They're young, strong, mostly under contract and they should be back next season. They just needed a taste of the playoffs.
Per the Winnipeg Free Press on what the Jets need to do going forward:
More than one pundit, this one included, picked the Jets to win this series. Were we tricked by a late-season mirage? An experienced and balanced Ducks squad made the Jets look bad. But is this a temporary case or a permanent malaise, which only amputation can correct?
Today, they’re a beaten group having been exposed by a superior team with more top-end talent, poise and smarts.
The Ducks showed how deep and talented they are in this series between Perry and Ryan Getzlaf on the top line and Kesler on the second center position. Now comes the big test for coach Bruce Boudreau – beating either the Calgary Flames or Vancouver Canucks to get to a conference final. Boudreau has never been past the second round as a head coach. But this Ducks team might be the deepest all-around group he’s ever had. Pressure's on Bruce (as usual) ... but enjoy this win first.
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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper
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