May 18--The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Chicago Blackhawks, 4-1, in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals on Sunday at Honda Center.
Here are three keys to the Ducks' victory:
1) The Ducks' third line of Andrew Cogliano, Nate Thompson and Kyle Palmieri was first-rate, contributing two goals and tireless work at both ends of the ice.
2) Ducks goaltender Frederik Andersen was his usual calm self against 33 Chicago shots, some in barrages. Chicago's only goal resulted from a turnover by Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin. Andersen cut his goals-against average to 1.86 and lifted his save percentage to .930.
3) The Ducks' depth meant they could win despite getting no production from their top line of Patrick Maroon, Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. Imagine if that line gets going.
