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Silfverberg’s playoff breakout is a big part of Ducks’ success

Anaheim Ducks v Calgary Flames - Game Four

Jakob Silfverberg

Getty Images

The Anaheim Ducks needed to play just nine games to get past the Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames. In order to accomplish that, goaltender Frederik Andersen had to be sharp and the Ducks’ star forwards had to perform as advertised, but Anaheim also required help from its supporting cast. It got it and no one exemplifies that more than Jakob Silfverberg.

The 24-year-old forward has three goals and is tied for fifth in the league with 11 points in the postseason. That’s in stark contrast to his 13 goals and 39 points in 81 regular season contests.

“He’s been a difference-maker in all the games,” Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau told the Los Angeles Times. “We knew he was capable, but he’s gotten hot at the right time and that’s great.”

Silfverberg feels like he’s playing the same way he has all season and wonders if the difference has simply been puck luck. At the same time, this could be a matter of his hard work paying off.

“Just from day one, seeing what he does, seeing his puck skills, seeing the way he can shoot the puck, I knew he could score,” linemate Ryan Kesler said. “It was just a matter of doing it game in and game out. He’s found that consistency to his game now and we’ve been working well off each other.”

Given that the Ducks will face the Chicago Blackhawks next, they’ll have to hope that Silfverberg can continue to be a significant factor.

“I think if we keep playing like we did in the previous two series we should be fine,” Silfverberg said. “We’re playing on top of our game right now and I don’t think there’s a better time to face the Blackhawks than right now.”

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