Ducks find Jets fans spirited, but won’t let themselves be distracted

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This article was published 22/04/2015 (3847 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

One time through a whiteout at the MTS Centre and the Anaheim Ducks feel they’re ready tonight to put an end to this first-round Stanley Cup playoff series with the Winnipeg Jets.

The Ducks won the first three games, including Monday’s 5-4 overtime decision here.

“I can only anticipate it’s going to be the exact same,” Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said after today’s game-day skate. “If not just a little louder. But we made it through so I’m assuming we’re going to make it through tonight.

“Time will tell whether we’ve learned the hot spots of when to keep our cool when they’re getting a little extra loud or not.”

Monday’s unsung hero, Ducks left-winger Andrew Cogliano, said his team thinks it will have to be better tonight for Game 4.

“Their season’s on the line,” Cogliano said. “The fans were phenomenal the last game. I think they really sparked their team early in terms of how they came out and played and we expect them to really have their best game all season and the best game we’ve seen them play, especially early.”

“The crowd’s fun,” said Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf. “It’s exciting. We love playing in loud buildings. It’s a lot of fun being out there as a visiting team as well. There’s certain things you can do to thrive in those moments, and our team’s been able to do that down the stretch.”

Cogliano had three assists Monday, including stealing the puck and setting the table for Rickard Rackell’s overtime deflection winner. He said the Ducks have a solid idea on how to cope with another hostile environment.

“For us, I think we just need to manage the game properly and get pucks in their zone and make them play defence, and slow the play down because they’re obviously going to come out with a lot of energy,” he said.

“I don’t think (coping with Game 3) is an advantage, it’s just knowing what to expect now,” he said. “We know how the crowd creates the amount of energy they do and not only are they cheering when there are goals scored, they’re cheering when they touch the puck. I think we just now know what to expect.

“Guys who haven’t been in that atmosphere before — we have a few guys who have played in those situations that obviously help our team out, which are our leaders — but i think young guys who are seeing that for the first time are feeling a little bit more comfortable heading to the game just knowing what to expect out there.

“I think our forecheck has given them some problems and it has been very strong and we’ve been able to create turnovers on their D and that’s the plan.”

Cogliano said nothing will be taken for granted tonight.

“This series has been really close, I think everyone can see that,” he said. “We scored big goals at the right time and I think our special teams have been good but it’s been very even. It’s been a physical, hard series and it’s also been very clean.

“Guys have played hard against each other and it’s a matter of now, we want to finish them off. We want to play a hard game and come into this building and hopefully get a win. It’s going to be a battle out there. They’re a very good team and they have a lot of character guys, guys that you can tell aren’t happy with how the season’s series has gone and they’re really going to, at the end of the day, put everything on the line.”

Boudreau is counting on more composure and leadership from his top players.

“They were targeted pretty good last year by Dallas,” Boudreau said. “And we handled it OK. But they know being two of the best players in the league, no matter what series you’re going to go teams are going to target you.

“Because they’re both feisty guys, you hit them and they’re going to hit you. They had to pull in the reins a little bit for the betterment of the team and the betterment of them. Because when you get made and out of control you’re usually not too good on the ice.”

Kesler has brought his A game.

“When him and Ryan are playing good, it makes it very difficult for the other teams to match up at the centre ice position.” Boudreau said. “They’re both big and strong. I think if you ask any GM, they love the big strong centremen and they’re hard to find. He’s played really well. He loves being the villain and it makes him play better.”

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca