The regular-season finale between the Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks had an unexpected sight in goal.
Bringing back a core that might have advanced to the Stanley Cup Final had their No. 1 goaltender stayed healthy, the Ducks have their sights set on taking the next step. But after years of being close, is this the season they actually go all the way?
For the fifth straight season, the Ducks were Pacific Division champions -- and for the fifth straight season they lost a playoff series in which they held home-ice advantage. Changes are coming. But what will they be?
The Ducks' defensive tandem of Hampus Lindholm and Sami Vatanen will require offseason shoulder surgeries. Lindholm will be out for four to five months and Vatanen will be sidelined longer, general manager Bob Murray said.
Ducks goalie John Gibson sat out and Jonathan Bernier made his first career playoff start as Anaheim exited the playoffs Monday night.
Since the 2005 lockout, few teams have been as steadily successful as the Ducks and Predators. Their rosters are replete with homegrown talent, and even trade acquisitions like P.K. Subban and James Neal were obtained in exchange for cultivated prospects.
