Both teams talked prior to the series about how they wanted to play a tight-checking game and try to limit the other side\u2019s chances.<\/p>\n
It hasn\u2019t really worked out that way, although the Ducks have been happy to be able to prevail in any matter the past two games (also a 6-4 win in Game 2 on Wednesday).<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019d rather play safer, I guess,\u201d Ducks forward Mikael Granlund<\/a>\u00a0said. \u201cI mean, if we can win every game 7-4 we\u2019ll take that, but we\u2019d rather play a more safe game, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n Defense is usually the priority for most teams in the postseason, yet with so many weapons on either side, it\u2019s difficult to keep them all in check.<\/p>\n Beckett Sennecke<\/a> and Leo Carlsson<\/a> scored within 42 seconds of each other in the third period to give the Ducks a 5-3 lead, with both converting odd-man rushes. Connor McDavid<\/a>\u00a0scored on a power play at 8:36 to cut the lead to 5-4, making for an exciting finish.<\/p>\n But it was perhaps an unlikely player who iced the game for Anaheim. Jeffrey Viel<\/a>, who scored three goals in the regular season, beat Ingram short side with a backhand at 16:57 before Jackson LaCombe<\/a>\u00a0iced the game with an empty-net goal at 18:27.<\/p>\n \u201cThey have some good players over there, too,\u201d Granlund said. \u201cWe\u2019d rather have a 3-1 win than a 7-4 win, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n Edmonton would as well, as that was its recipe for success in getting to the Stanley Cup Final in each of the past two seasons.<\/p>\n The Oilers, however, have played the past two games at the Ducks’ pace and have had trouble keeping up with a young team that has 13 skaters making their playoff debuts.<\/p>\n