Ducks Begin Preparations for Game1

[rinkrat]

Written in large black ink letter on top of the Ducks grease board situated in front of their locker room at Anaheim Ice on Tuesday was the message: ‘Welcome to the Playoffs”.

Surrounded by an increase in media and fans at practice, there was no mistaking that the vibe has changed considerably for the team. Just last weekend, the Ducks were grinding through relatively meaningless games to end their regular season. Back together for the first time since, the team exuded a focus only associated with postseason play in preparation of their Western Conference Quarterfinal matchup with Dallas that begins Thursday at Honda Center.

"Fourth and fifth seeds, there’s not a whole lot of difference there," Scott Niedermayer said. "It’s going to be a good test.”

“The one thing historically hockey players do have is another level that they reach back to because the Stanley Cup Playoffs are a very special time,” Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle said. “The level and intensity of the game goes up. You can just feel it. I’m sure every player going out on the ice on Thursday will have chills up the back of their spines.”

Anaheim Ducks - Features: Ducks Begin Preparations for Game1 - 04/08/2008