The Anaheim Ducks and Calgary Flames just might meet in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
What a match-up that could be.
There’s been bad blood between these teams at points already this season and that continued as they met again Tuesday, particularly during the third period in Anaheim.
First, let’s get to the score. The Ducks won 3-1, which pushes them closer to winning the Pacific Division. That’s also 25 straight regular season home wins for the Ducks over the Flames.
OK. Now to the animosity -- and there was plenty of it:
-- In the third period, Flames defenseman Mark Giordano caught Cam Fowler with a knee-on-knee hit. Fowler left the game and couldn’t put pressure on his right knee as he was helped off. There was no call on the play and Fowler didn’t return. That’s a huge concern for the Ducks, especially this close to the playoffs, although coach Randy Carlyle didn’t provide an update after the game.
“I hope he’s okay. You don’t like to see guys hurt. There was no intent there,” said Giordano.
Ducks' Cam Fowler helped off the ice after taking knee-on-knee hit from Giordano. Ducks already without Vatanen, Lindholm tonight.
— Helene Elliott (@helenenothelen) April 5, 2017
-- Shortly after that incident, Josh Manson fought Giordano, landing some heavy shots before they hit the ice.
-- After throwing a huge hit on Matthew Tkachuk at the blue line, Ducks d-man Korbinian Holzer fought Matt Bartkowski, while a near line brawl broke out on the other side of the ice, with Ryan Kesler and Michael Frolik jousting. Bartkowski was given an instigator penalty and a game misconduct, as well.
-- Holzer had been previously involved in a large scrum after he went after Micheal Ferland, who was given a misconduct.
-- The two teams combined for 106 minutes in penalties in the final period.
The Ducks lead the Pacific with 101 points, while the Flames hold the second wild card spot in the West with 92 points. Nashville does have the same point total in the same amount of games played, but with two fewer regulation/overtime wins.