Frenzy of Fins and Feathers

As the season winds down and the fight for playoff position intensifies, the Ducks lose another chance to gain some points as they fell to San Jose 1-0.

The only goal of the game was scored by former Duck Travis Moen in the second period, who was traded to San Jose on the March 4th deadline.

San Jose's goalie, Evgeni Nabokov, had 34 saves tonight in his second straight win after defending all but one goal last night against the Kings. This is also his second night after returning from an injury to the lower body. His phenomenal goaltending kept the Sharks ahead through 5 penalties and several rebound opportunities that the Ducks fumbled.

Both teams were 0-5 on powerplays, with one major 5 minute penalty to each team for a fight between George Parros and San Jose's Jody Shelley. The other penalties were minors for interference, hooking, slashing and roughing.

Duck's netminder Jonas Hiller had 29 saves tonight, allowing only one goal to former Duck Travis Moen, on a redirect off Duck player Ryan Whitney that just scraped past Hiller. But one was all it took for the Sharks to win tonight, as the Ducks were unsuccessful in scoring any of the 34 shots they took.

This loss puts the Ducks back down into 12th place with 70 points, with 4 points inbetween them and a playoff spot behind Dallas. The Sharks have broken to 100 points in their season, behind Detroit who have clinched a playoff spot with 101 points. In the Eastern Conference, Boston leads with 99 points with New Jersey (93) and Washington (92) trailing behind.

Scores around the NHL included an upset with the Pittsburg Penguins winning against Boston, 6-4 with two goals scored by former Duck (and lover of mine) Chris Kunitz.
Also in the Eastern Conference, the 7th place New York Rangers won over 4th place Philidelphia. The Chicago Blackhawks surrendered to the last place New York Islanders 4-2, another unexpected upset.

The Ducks next play a pivotal game against 8th place Nashville at home before hitting the road against 28th place Phoenix Coyotes in the first of a two game series. The next few games will determine how much longer the season will continue for the Anaheim Ducks. Hopefully they'll make it through April!

Lets Go Ducks!