CALGARY, Alberta – The Ducks have an opportunity to finish off a four-game sweep of the Calgary Flames when the teams meet Wednesday night in Game 4 of the Western Conference quarterfinals at Scotiabank Saddledome.
On four prior occasions have the Ducks swept a playoff series – in the 2003 first round against Detroit and conference finals against Minnesota, in the 2006 semifinals against Colorado and the 2015 first round against Winnipeg.
The Ducks have won six straight games against Calgary, including the first three of this first-round series, despite allowing five power-play goals to the Flames and being outplayed for some significant stretches in Games 2 and 3.
A 5-4 overtime victory in Game 3 after erasing a 4-1 deficit would become the franchise’s greatest playoff comeback win. Asked what the mood was like ahead of a potential close-out game, Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said, “Hopefully it’s businesslike.”
“That’s what we’re trying to do. We’re trying not to get too high, not to get too low,” Carlyle added. “Stay on an even keel. Try to play to a higher level than we did the last game. That’s been our goal since we’ve started the playoffs. We want to continue to grow our group.”
Once again, Carlyle – as is his policy – did not announce his starting goalie for Game 4, but John Gibson (2-0, 3.22 GAA, .906 SV%) is expected to get the nod even though he was pulled in the second period of Game 3 after allowing four goals on 16 shots.
Jonathan Bernier stopped all 16 shots he faced and got the win in relief, but Gibson left the ice first during the Ducks’ morning skate Wednesday, which usually indicates that night’s starter. When asked how much thought he put into choosing a Game 4 goalie, Carlyle said, “None.”
Carlyle did say defenseman Sami Vatanen will miss his third straight game due to a lingering upper-body injury. Vatanen played in Game 1 but did have to sit out two games near the end of the regular season because of the injury.
Greeted with an acknowledgment of his 61st birthday Wednesday, a grinning Carlyle retorted, “Where’s my gifts?” It could be one to remember if the Ducks do wrap up their series and advance.
Here is the projected lineup for the Ducks:
Rickard Rakell-Ryan Getzlaf-Patrick Eaves
Andrew Cogliano-Ryan Kesler-Jakob Silfverberg
Nick Ritchie-Antoine Vermette-Corey Perry
Chris Wagner-Nate Thompson-Logan Shaw
Hampus Lindholm-Brandon Montour
Shea Theodore-Kevin Bieksa
Korbinian Holzer-Josh Manson
While one coach is adamant about not announcing his goalie, the other has no such issue. Flames coach Glen Gulutzan confirmed he’s sticking with Brian Elliott (0-3, 3.67 GAA, .887 SV%) for Game 4.
Elliott was the victim of a bad bounce on Ryan Getzlaf’s bank-shot-looking goal to win Game 2, but the veteran struggled throughout Game 3, allowing a seemingly harmless Shea Theodore shot to glance in off his glove and letting a sharp-angle Corey Perry try turn into a rebound that bounced in off Calgary defenseman Michael Stone for the overtime winner.
On Tuesday, Gulutzan had not committed to Elliott but threw his support behind him. Chad Johnson has returned as a backup but is also coming off a suspected groin injury suffered in the March 4 game in Anaheim after making a save on a shot by the Ducks’ Andrew Cogliano.
Gulutzan said he did not speak directly with Elliott, whose save percentage in the playoffs is the worst among the 16 goalies to have started this postseason.
“Certainly I gave him the nod and the chance to go in the net,” Gulutzan said. “That speaks for itself. But certainly (goaltending coach) Jordan Sigalet is in contact with our goalies. Daily dialogue. The message of belief in everything goes through him.”
The Flames are also making some lineup changes. Curtis Lazar and Freddie Hamilton will make their first appearances of the series as they’ll jump on the fourth line in place of the more experienced Matt Stajan and Lance Bouma.
Lazar played in six playoff games with Ottawa in 2015 while Hamilton is making his postseason debut. Hamilton, 25, is the older brother of Calgary defenseman Dougie Hamilton.
“It’s an energy thing,” Gulutzan said. “We’re down three. These two players have played pretty well in the games that they’ve come in. Provided energy. Speed with Curtis, right shots for draws.
“The other thing too is mentally I think it’s just a change. Also two guys that are not down 3-0 in the series. They’re trying to stay in the lineup each and every night. Just a change for our group.”
Sean Monahan and Sam Bennett have combined for five of the Flames’ eight goals in the series. Monahan’s three – all coming on the power play – is second behind all playoff performers. Pittsburgh’s Jake Guentzel has five.
Here is the projected lineup for the Flames:
Johnny Gaudreau-Sean Monahan-Micheal Ferland
Matthew Tkachuk-Mikael Backlund-Michael Frolik
Kris Versteeg-Sam Bennett-Alex Chiasson
Freddie Hamilton-Curtis Lazar-Troy Brouwer
Mark Giordano-Dougie Hamilton
TJ Brodie-Michael Stone
Matt Bartkowski-Deryk Engelland