^ yeah the first period and I'd argue parts of the second, the Ducks played like they thought a win would come easily. Good as Freddie was, I don't see him going full Giguere at any point for too long. The first period was absolutely owned by the Hawks who only trailed cause of a miscue. The second the Ducks weathered the Hawks storm a little more and were able to get more zone time but I still give the edge to the Hawks in that period. Third period was when the Hawks were pretty much taken out of their game and Anaheim found a way to play theirs. I was especially happy with that period because by all accounts, Chicago SHOULD have had the momentum. They grabbed a goal late in the second and got two early powerplays. That could've easily been their ticket back to some dominant hockey, but the Ducks kept it together. I think their confidence grew as Andersen continued to perform so I really hope Andersen keeps it together.
But either way, by no means am I overconfident in the Ducks. The overall play was as you said the weakest we've seen so far in these playoffs so I have no airs about expecting a win in game 2. I'm just hoping for one. Or at least if there's a loss, at least let it be because the Hawks overcame some good hockey by the Ducks.
As I think about it some more, I don't think Kane was that bad, more like average. As a Hawks fan he just spoils me too much so I expect greatness every game. He was bad by his standards but he didn't go about the game wetting himself like Toews and Perry did.
Hawks fans and myself might of underestimated Kessler. He doesn't have that loser aura to deal with when he played for the Nucks and he looks like a man on a mission. Hopefully I'm wrong.
Happens to all stars. And I don't mean the guys that dress for an irrelevant game every winter. I mean even guys like Crosby, Ovi, Malkin, etc. have games where they don't have the kind of impact we all know they can. I still expect Kane to be a proper threat the whole way through.
As for Kesler, the man is clearly on a mission. I really think he buys into what his new team is selling, he appears to be comfortable with his teammates and where he lives, it's working out for both parties IMO. He might not be as offensively adept, but he does what needs to be done in his role and he's probably the best 2c we've had since Getzlaf played on that line.