Game 2 preview and pick

[Raji]

Ice picks:


Ottawa Senators at Anaheim Ducks (-130, 5)



Ottawa optimists will look at Game 1’s loss as a missed opportunity after heading into the third period with a 2-1 lead. Realists realize the Senators could have been shut out just as easily.



They got a great break early in the game when a long-range effort hit something in front to flutter past Jean-Sebastian Giguere and probably wouldn’t have beaten the Ducks netminder if he hadn’t lost his stick. Sure, these things happen, but it’s not as though the Senators were buzzing with scoring chances or anything – they managed just 20 total shots and had only three in the first period.



Oddsmakers opened with Anaheim set as a -135 favorite for Game 2 (down to -120 now at some books), while the Sens are already talking like this is a must-win. You’d really like to believe them, too, but the problem is Anaheim beat them pretty handily with far from its best effort.



Ottawa’s problems started in its own net and moved out from there. Ray Emery wasn’t bad, but he isn’t doing his defense any favors with poor rebound control. Anaheim’s persistent forecheck was able to pin the Sens in deep to create scoring chances or draw a penalty a bunch of times after Emery kicked out the initial shot. He’s probably better off trying to freeze everything with Anaheim’s wingers making a beeline for Ottawa’s defensemen in the corners every time they gain the red line.



That said, the Sens did have the right idea trying to get under Chris Pronger’s skin in Game 1. He’ll be good for a handful of stupid penalties throughout the series and that’s where the Sens need to capitalize. The man advantage will be key for Ottawa because the Ducks are in control at even strength right now.



That’s probably not going to change in Anaheim with Randy Carlyle making the most of last change to match lines. Jason Spezza was completely invisible in Game 1, while Daniel Alfredsson and Dany Heatley weren’t much better – thanks to Samuel Pahlsson’s shutdown line that also happened to chip in the game-winner courtesy of Travis Moen. Pahlsson is one of the best defensive players in the league and his line is going to make life really difficult for Ottawa’s snipers on the road.



Pick: Ducks -130

Raji