Round 3 Playoff Matchup: Los Angeles (1st) vs Anaheim (6th)

[Matthew]

Los Angeles Kings

C. Brown - R. Strome - Crouse
Beauvillier - W. Karlsson - Lafreniere
Namestnikov - Schmaltz - Panik
Grundstrom - Default - Engvall

S. Jones - Provorov
Pionk - Walker
Chiarot - Andersson

Fleury
Nedeljkovic

Injuries: Jack Eichel, Zack Hyman, Brandon Carlo
Bench: Geekie, M. Subban

Vs

Anaheim Ducks

Nylander - Aho - Barzal
Batherson - Gourde - Benn
Greenway - Staal - Moore
Blackwell - Haas - Wood

Makar - Parayko
Zub - Sergachev
Manson - Kalynuk

Kahkonen
Swayman

Injuries: Anders Lee, Pavel Francouz, Ty Smith
Bench: Paquette, Kravtsov, Drysdale, Jokiharju, Desmith

[Matthew]

Starting two rookie Goaltenders: Swayman makes his BBKL debut. Desmith sits this one out because pittsburgh has some tough opponents in Washington/Boston.

Still considering if I play haas/paquette (4 games each) or wood/asplund (better stats)

Looks like Parayko and Manson are both injured, so before lock I may need to sub in youngsters Drysdale and Jokiharju, which would be a big statistical hit.

Easy Peasy W this week.

[Da_Hawks]

Like the Ducks forwards and the Kings defense, but the Ducks roster overall (given the injuries to Eichel/Hyman/Carlo).

If Swayman and KK get some good starts, the Ducks could easily win this thing.

[dave1959]

I picked LA based on last week's numbers, but Anaheim will give him some trouble.

[Matthew]

Took a chance and left day-2-day Parayko and Manson in the lineup. If they are out for the week it hurts bad not subbing drysdale/jokiharju in for them, but if they are only out 1 game each then it's a win.

[kimmer]

ANA wins thiihs handily

[Matthew]

Jamie Bennnnnnnn baaabbbbbyyyyy

Having a monster playoffs for me: Scoring, shooting, hitting, 10fow/gm from the wing, shtoi

4 point night including gwg

[thom54]

Reminds me of an old Sam Bennett

[dave1959]

QUACK QUACK

[Matthew]

QUACK QUACK

A true believer.

[Matthew]

C'mon Dallas score a few goals

[Matthew]

Big night from my skaters, but big night from Steve's goalie too.

[Bruyns]

Goalie stats aren't going to matter if you keep up the pace with your skaters, your team is on fire right now.

[Shoalzie]

I'm not big on making judgments on matchups after two days but that's the perfect start for Matthew.

[Matthew]

Offensively, yes. I could easily lose periphs (neither parayko or manson have returned) and goaltending.

[Matthew]

Uh oh. Minnesota starting talbot in both games of b2b. Things getting sketchy for me to get a goalie gp this week.

[Matthew]

Swayman gets the start tomorrow, thankfully.

[Shoalzie]

You're worrying about goaltending? Now you're just being greedy...

[Matthew]

You're worrying about goaltending? Now you're just being greedy...

Security. He can still catch me in hits, shots, and fow, which would make it a tie. He has the tiebreaker. He has a few games in hand so it's entirely possible he could do it.

Never count Steve out

[Shoalzie]

If he's going to chase you down, it'll have to be in the periph categories. His goalie categories are in good shape but you can get a great start today from Swayman and steal a couple of those away too.

Can't say a comeback is impossible but it's gotta happen today with only one game tomorrow.