Ducks Trounce Redwings, Despite All Odds

May 4, 2009 - Wrote By Glen

The Detroit Red Wings have time and time again proven themselves to be one of the best sports franchises in any North American League. What they were doing losing in a triple-overtime to the Anaheim Ducks is any one's guess.

The Red Wings, winners of last year's Stanley Cup, let fly a barrage of shots on Anaheim's goal throughout the night. Having let fly over 60 shots on the goal, Detroit was pummeling Jonas Hiller all night. Hiller stopped 59 if the 62 total shots the Wings had sent flying at him. Stakes were high for the Ducks, them having never recovered from a 2-0 losing streak in franchise history. Had they lost this game, surely it would have been over for their season.

At 1:15 into triple overtime, Todd Merchant slaps in a game winning goal that is likely to become a career highlight for the defensive specialist. Having only scored 13 goals in 84 career playoff games, Merchant has not been a major game winner throughout his career. He does make it count when the puck is on his stick and it is most definitely about to hit the fan. Back in '97, Merchant scored an overtime goal against the Dallas Stars, winning a Game 7 decider for the Edmonton Oilers.

The remaining games between the Ducks and the Wings will be a hectic string with both teams relying on their best players to get the job done or go home with their tails between their legs. On Sunday's game, the Duck's quintessential forwards, Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, both received more than 38 minutes of ice time. With all that time on their feet, they might have been expected to be the games winners, rather than the defensive liner Merchant. No matter how you look at it, however, teamwork is going to win more games than relying on your star two.

The Red Wings have their own dynamic duo, but where were they on Sunday? Both Pavel Datsyuk and Marian Hossa were goalless on Sunday. The high light of these top forwards game's was a power-play assist by Datsyuk in Game 1. Game 2 was a downward curve for Datsyuk and Hossa, with 6 and 9 failed attempts on the goal, respectively. They are expected to come around next game.

Having put forth the effort and survived Game 2, the next question is is what do the Ducks hold in store for the Red Wings in games to come? Statistics weigh heavily in Detroit's favor, leaving the defending champions with a heavy burden of meeting standards weighing on their shoulders to strengthen their game or distract from it. The Ducks desire for glory is fueling their inner fires, ready to burn through the Wing's defenses. Their next game is Wings at Ducks on Tuesday, May fifth.