Friday, April 18, 10:00 PM on NBCS, TSN, FSSW, PT

Honda Center, Anaheim, California

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The Stars showed they wouldn't back down by being the last team to qualify for the NHL playoffs. Even after falling down to the Ducks 4-0 by 9:04 into the second period in Wednesday night's series opening game they hung tough. Dallas scored three straight goals to give themselves a chance with a little over 6:00 remaining but couldn't light the lamp in falling 4-3. The game might have been indicative of a tired Dallas team that fought to the last weekend just to make the playoffs against an Anaheim team that has had their fate sealed for weeks. Either way the Dallas fury to end the game shows this series is far from over.

The Stars played 4 games in 6 nights to end the season, many in high-pressure must win situations. They were only 2-2 over that span but still held off the reeling Coyotes to make the postseason. There will be two full days of rest until Monday's game in Dallas but heading home 1-1 is much more appealing than facing an 0-2 deficit.

Wednesday's win over Dallas was the 5th in a row for the surging Ducks. Anaheim brushed aside any worries of fatigue after playing extra periods on back to back nights just last Saturday and Sunday. The Ducks had one of the best home ice advantages to start the year, going 19-0-2 in their first 21 games before faltering in midseason.

Dallas is not going to be intimidated in playing the Western Conference's top seed given the fact that they've beat Anaheim 2 out of 3 times this year, including the last two meetings. Either way oddsmakers aren't giving Dallas much of a chance at stealing one making the Ducks -173 favorites.

ATS Trends

Dallas is 17-23 straight up on the road this season

Dallas is 20-19-2 against the over/under on the road this season

Anaheim is 28-12 straight up at home this season

Anaheim is 21-19-1 against the over/under at home this season

Injuries to Watch

Dallas

04/17/14 D Brenden Dillon Lower Body questionable
03/10/14 C Rich Peverley Heart out for season

Anaheim

10/30/13 RW Nick Sorensen Concussion out indefinitely
10/01/13 D Sheldon Souray Wrist out for season
04/17/14 LW Matt Beleskey Lower Body questionable Friday vs. Dallas
04/16/14 C Ryan Getzlaf Facial is upgraded to probable Friday vs. Dallas
04/01/14 D Mark Fistric Lower Body out indefinitely

Josh's Pick: Take Anaheim

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