5/16/13: It is hard to believe, but the Anaheim Ducks are out in the first round of the NHL playoffs. The Ducks had the second best record in the West and easily won the Pacific Division. They drew the Detroit Red Wings in the first round, who had the 7 seed. On paper, this should have gone only four or five games. But the Red Wings know how to play in the playoffs. The fierce series ended in Anaheim with a Detroit win in game seven. The only bright side is that the Ducks proved that they have the talent to compete in the West, and that was severely questioned after the team missed the playoffs last season.

2013 Stanley Cup Playoff Team - Anaheim Ducks

It feels like the Anaheim Ducks never left the Stanley Cup contender club, but there have been some trying seasons for the once mighty Ducks since their first Stanley Cup title in 2007. However, the past couple of year have included the highlight play of captain Ryan Getzlaf and wingers Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan. Coming into this year, some analysts wondered what to make of the future of this franchise, as both Getzlaf and Perry's contracts were due to expire soon and management's vision going forward was a little ambiguous. Both players are now resigned to extensions and not - repeat, NOT - traded away. Pairing this offensive core with a solid veteran defenseman like Francois Beauchemin and accomplished rookie goalie Viktor Fasth, and the nucleus of continued success for the Anaheim Ducks is clear.

Click here for Anaheim Ducks NHL Playoff Tickets, Anaheim Ducks Stanley Cup Playoff Opponent

What's also clear is the potential of the Anaheim Ducks to pose the biggest challenge to the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoff's Western Conference bracket. While the Blackhawks had a remarkable run to start the season, the Ducks had a run of their own in the second half of the season to keep the No. 1 seed in question than many expected. Two late-seaons four-game losing streaks, however, allowed the Blackhawks to pull away and actually gave the division-rival Los Angeles Kings a narrow shot at the Pacific Division title. The Ducks held off that push, though, and will now take aim at a team such as the Minnesota Wild in the first round. Assuming the seeding holds, Anaheim would then look toward a matchup with the Northwest Division champion Vancouver Canucks, a team with whom they split two early season meetings and will meet once more in the regular season.

Anaheim Ducks Stanley Cup Playoff Opponent

The most likely matchup for the Ducks are the Minnesota Wild, who Anaheim is undefeated against this season. The other less-likely teams to be paired in the first round of the 2013 NHL PLayoffs all had winning records against the Anaheim Ducks. Anaheim is guaranteed home ice advantage at the Honda Center for the first two round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

NHL Playoff Preview - Anaheim Ducks

Anaheim Ducks - Because It's the Cup

Anaheim Ducks - Minnesota Wild Fight - Maroon v Konopka

4/25/13: The Ducks have wrapped up the Pacific Division title and seem to be slotted for the second seed overall in the playoffs. Anaheim has had a remarkable turnaround from last season when they missed the playoffs completely. Now they are a focused veteran team that has put aside all the distractions (from disorderly conduct by the GM to not signing their best defensive prospect). Many wondered if keeping the core together this year was a good idea, but it looks like the Ducks know better than the rest of us as they await their first round opponent.

3/28/13: Anaheim is still dominating the Pacific Division, and are a full dozen points up on their nearest pursuer - the crosstown/region L.A. Kings. Somehow the team had a quirk in the schedule that had them hosting the Detroit Red Wings twice in three days - that is usually only in the playoffs. Worse yet for the Ducks is that the Red Wings won both games - handing Anaheim their first consecutive losses of the season. The Ducks still own the league's second best record at 225-5-4, good for 48 points, and trail only the Chicago Blackhawks by three points in the standings.

3/21/13: Anaheim still owns the second best record in the league, though no body is paying much attention to them. But they suffered a tough loss in overtime the rallying St. Loius Blues on the road on Saturday. The Blues had been without their entire second line for about a week, but got Alex Steen back on Thursday and rookie sensation Vladimir Tarasenko on Saturday. The Tarasenko appearance haunted the Ducks, as the young Russian gracefully fooled two defensemen and the goalie before sliding the puck to Chris Stewart for the game winning goal. The Ducks may have lost, but this team should go deep into the playoffs.

3/14/13: While Anaheim is on a roll and has the second best record in the Western Conference, winger Corey Perry has been suspended for four games for a late hit on Wild forward Jason Zucker. The Ducks are 19-3-3, good for 41 points and 11 points up the L.A. Kings in the Division. The Ducks also signed Ryan Getzlaf to an 8 year $66 million deal. With Chicago losing two in a row, the Ducks are in position to make a run for the best record and the number one seed in the playoffs. That scenario would have seemed unreasonable just a month ago, but the Ducks just are not slowing down for anyone at this point.

3/7/13: Anaheim continues on their torrid pace, but still gets no attention because of the Blackhawks. Chicago, of course, has not lost a game in regulation this season, earning at least one point in every game played - all 21 - which is an NHL record. The Ducks, though, are firing on all cylinders as well, posting a 15-3-3 record thus far and putting themselves eight points up over second place Phoenix in the Pacific Division. The Ducks rank first in the West with 71 goals and seventh in goals allowed with 57. So while the team is not getting the hype or publicity of Chicago, they look to be a strong contender for the Western crown come playoffs.

2/28/13: Amid all the hoopla surrounding the Chicago Blackhawks and their historic start of at least 17 game with earning a point is the Anaheim Ducks. Many may not realize it, but the Ducks are off to a great start as well. Through 16 games, the Ducks are 13-2-1, and have built up an eight point lead over second place San Jose in the Pacific Division. The team is largely unchanged from last season, but the cagey veterans are all playing at a top level. Again though, they are not getting the publicity that the Blackhawks are, but they certainly will come playoff time.

2/21/13: The Anaheim Ducks apparently do not like being second fiddle to the L.A. Kings. The Kings, of course, won the Stanley Cup last season and have been the toast of the Los Angeles hockey community. The Duck, on the other hand, were terrible last season and relied on aging veterans. Well those aging veterans have awoken as the Ducks have won five in a row and lead the Pacific division by seven points over the Phoenix Coyotes. Anaheim has scored a whopping 53 goals in 15 games and seems intent on making one last stand as the premiere hockey team in Southern California.

11/29/12: In a move that will certainly not reverberate throughout the hockey world, veteran journeyman Rod Pelley has signed on with Anaheim's AHL affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals. The Admirals were Tampa's affiliate until this summer. Last season, they dominated the AHL, going on a 28 game winning streak and cruising to the Calder Cup. Those players are now gone - having been transplanted to the Syracuse Crunch. Anaheim then became Norfolk's NHL team, and new players have been brought in. Pelley was traded to the Ducks from Devils last season, and played in 45 games with Anaheim.

11/22/12: Bobby Ryan is finally out of Anaheim, sort of. Ryan said last year that the Flyers would be a good team for him, fueling speculation that the Ducks would trade him. That has not happened yet. Ryan obviously does not want to play for the franchise, and a trade may happen once the lockout is over. For now, Ryan has signed to play in Sweden. Bobby Ryan is the newest member of Mora IK in Sweden's second highest professional league. LA Kings forward Anze Kopitar is already playing for the team. No word on when Ryan will join the club.

11/15/12: Anaheim's AHL affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals (who were the Tampa Bay Lightning's AHL affiliate until earlier this year) are 7-5 thus far in the 2012-13 season - good enough for second place in the AHL East Division. They trail the Syracuse Crunch by two points, who are, incidentally, Tampa's new AHL affiliate. Last season's Admirals crushed the rest of the league and set a record for most consecutive victories. Most of those players are now in Syracuse, but still within the Lightning family. So the debate is raging - who is the defending Calder Cup champion, the Admirals team, or the Crunch whose players actually won the trophy?

11/8/12: At some point, probably next season, the Ducks will have to replace Teemu Selanne. Selanne has had a wonderful career and has been an excellent ambassador for the game. But he is in his 40's now, and the rocking chair is calling. So who will replace him. Simply put, no one can. However, the Ducks may have some guys in the organization to help out. Brandon McMillan, Richard Rakell, Kyle Palmieri, and Emerson Etem are possibilities. Bobby Ryan is a candidate too, but that would require him staying in Anaheim, which may be a long-shot at this point.

11/1/12: How the Anaheim Ducks will look in year or two is anyone's guess. Cornerstone offensive players Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf both have contracts that expire at the end of the season, and Teemu Selanne may opt to retire. The Ducks had a chance to begin reshaping their roster last season by dumping salary for prospects, but instead decided to continue on with their veterans. They finished 34-36-12, last in Pacific Division and out of the playoffs. Now they have to figure out a way to retain Perry and Getzlaf, replace Selanne, and that may all start by dealing unhappy camper Bobby Ryan.

10/18/12: Seeing the turmoil in the Anaheim front office, combined with their refusal to adjust the roster and the ho-hum attitude of the players last year may lead one to believe that the Ducks do not care if the lockout ever ends. Anaheim has missed the playoffs two of the last three seasons while severely underachieving. There are still big names like Teemu Selanne and Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan, but the team needs to add some grit and enthusiasm to the roster. Bobby Ryan will likely get moved once the new CBA is agreed upon, and this could free up cap space to acquire top talent next offseason.

10/4/12: The Anaheim Ducks may be one of the few teams that actually benefits from a lockout. They need all the bad press to just go away, and maybe work out a trade for disgruntled forward Bobby Ryan. In the meantime, the Ducks are stuck with a quick but smallish roster - similar to their lineup in late 1990's. If recent history is any judge, then this is not suitable for the NHL, where the forwards have gotten bigger and stronger, and speed is less important than conditioning and positioning. In any case, there is still talent on the team, but management must figure out a way to make it work.

8/16/12: Considering the sad state of professional sports in Minnesota, the Wild may well be the best pro team in the North Star State. The Twins are currently battling the Royals for the cellar in baseball. The Timberwolves have rarely been relevant in their tenure (and they currently are not now). It probably will not be long before Kevin Love moves out for warmer weather and a bigger market. And the Vikings, long the King in the land of 10,000 lakes, well the Vikings will be lucky to surpass 3-13 from last year. Conversely, the Wild are on the way up. Parise and Suter are bringing fans in the return to health of top six forwards indicate that the Wild are the new King of Minnesota.

8/2/12: The Ducks will not get burned again by a top draft pick who uses a loophole to get out of a contract. Anaheim was in the news frequently when their 2008 second-round pick Justin Schultz famously decided to never sign a contract. He became a free agent in June, though he had never played a second in the NHL. NHL teams understand the risk when they spend a high draft pick on a European or Russian player - that the player may never come to North America. But not a native son. The Ducks locked up their first round pick (#6 overall) Hampus Lindholm quickly and will bring him in for camp this time around.

7/26/12: The trade market for 30 goal scorer Bobby Ryan may be heating up. Ryan's displeasure with the organization is well documented, and he said at the draft that Philadelphia may be a good place for him - not what management wants to hear from one of their best players. But several Eastern teams have a need and desire for a player like Ryan. The Flyers, of course, but also the Penguins, Devils, and Sabres could be interested. With Rick Nash off the market, there are only a few players that may be available, including Ryan, Shane Doan, and Alexander Semin.

5/22/12: Not Disneyland, not the spirit of the long-gone Rams, and not even the wave of good tidings enveloping the city when Albert Pujols arrived could jump start the Ducks into playing well enough to earn a trip to the playoffs this past season. Along with Buffalo, the Ducks have to be considered one of the biggest underachieving teams in the league, and now must decide to trust their core veterans to return to their usual levels or blow up the team and start over. Chief among those players is Teemu Sellane, who showed he is still an elite force despite 41 years of living.

5/16/12: Anaheim may be watching the World Championship tournament closely - in particularl their star forward Bobby Ryan. Ryan continues his torrid scoring pace as the U.S. team continues to advance (and will play host Finland in the quarterfinals). But for the Ducks, a team out of the postseaston for consecutive years, Ryan's ascension is also raising his trade value (he has scored at least 30 goals in each of his four seasons in the NHL). Clearly the team is not prospering with its current core veterans, so there may be some logic in trading away a young star for a bounty of assets.

5/11/12: The Ducks have a core of talented but aging veterans that they need to decide what to do with. The group, including Ryan Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan, and Corey Perry, started slow, but rallied - leading the team on a 17-3-4 run in mid-season. GM Bob Murray made no moves at the trade deadline, instead trusting his veterans. However, the early-season hole was too deep and the Ducks missed the playoffs for the second time in three years. Getzlaf in particular struggled, scoring a career-low 11 goals. If the Ducks keep him, he will need to return to form in order for Anaheim to return to the playoffs.

5/3/12: Like several other teams who did not qualify for the NHL postseason, the Ducks will be well-represented on the U.S roster at the IIHL World Championship tournament. Bobby Ryan, Cam Fowler, and prospect Kyle Palmieri will try to get the U.S back on the medal stand for the first time since 2004. Ryan scored in 3-2 win over Team Sweeden in warm-up game. Palmieri became eligible after the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL was eliminated from their playoffs. Palmieri scored 33 goals and 25 assists in just 51 games for the Crunch, and has an excellent chance of making the Ducks' roster in the fall.

4/25/12: The biggest question surrounding the Anaheim Ducks this offseason is what to do with future hall-of-famer Teemu Selanne. Selanne will be 42 in July and has played over 1300 games in 19 seasons, and may opt for retirement. Hanging up the skates should be his option, as he showed he can still play. He appeared in all 82 games this past season and led the Ducks in total points with 66. If the Ducks decide not to resign him, then some team in need of veteran leadership and a solid second line right wing would jump at the chance to add this classy player.

4/17/12: As Albert Pujols settles in with Angels, the Ducks are cleaning out their lockers and making tee times. Anaheim underachieved this past season, finishing last in the Pacific Division, 13th in the West, and losing four of their last five. All attention now turns to the draft, where the Ducks draft sixth. The team has scoring talent in Corey Perry, Bobby Ryan, and Ryan Getzlaf, but could use an offensive-minded defenseman. Potential draft picks include Matthew Dumba (Red Deer Rebels), Morgan Reilly (Moose Jaw Warriors), and Griffin Reinhart (Edmonton Oil Kings). In any case, the Ducks want someone to play right away.

Anaheim Ducks Tickets -Team History

Anaheim Ducks tickets allow fans the opportunity to see one of the NHL's newest and most popular franchises begin to write its own history. Established in 1993, the Ducks joined the National Hockey League as an expansion team and play their games at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Watch as the Ducks build their legacy and work to bring a second Stanley Cup to Anaheim!

Anaheim Ducks Tickets -Season Info

The Anaheim Ducks are a franchise perennially in a position to win the Stanley Cup. After taking home their first Stanley Cup in 2007, the Ducks have only bolstered their ranks. With a roster loaded with veteran leaders like Ryan Getzlaf, Jonas Hiller and Teemu Selanne, the Ducks are always a dangerous matchup for any team.

Anaheim Ducks Tickets -Ticket Information

Anaheim Ducks tickets ensure that fans see the Ducks playing top contenders throughout the entire NHL season. The Ducks have their work cut out for them in a tough Pacific Division. With matchups against great teams like the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars and non-divisional meetings with Alex Ovechkin's Washington Capitals, the Ducks are sure to be tested all season long. Grab your Ducks tickets now and don't miss the action!

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