NHL Game of the Week - Penguins vs Ducks

Two of the best teams in the NHL will do battle on Friday, March 7 when the Pittsburgh Penguins head into Anaheim to face the Ducks. The contest highlights this week's schedule of games due to the fact that both are sitting at the top of their respective conferences.

The NHL playoffs are quickly approaching and both teams are in serious contention for top seeds. This may not mean much though because the brutal "second season" can easily produce lower seed upsets. Regardless, both the Ducks and Penguins realize that with only a month and a half left in the regular season, it can't hurt to secure home ice for the entire playoffs.

In their first matchup this season, back in November, the Penguins skated past the Ducks on their home ice. The game was scoreless through two periods but Pittsburg erupted for three goals during a span of just over four minutes in the final period. The final score was 3-1.

Both teams have been dominant at home this season so this second and final matchup between the East and West leaders will have the Ducks as favorites to win at The Pond. Anaheim will be fortunate enough to be hosting the game at the tail end of a five game home stand, while the Penguins will be coming in on fumes, with their fifth game in seven days, all on the road.

With some key absences to defenders Kris Letang and Paul Martin, combined with this current road trip, the Penguins are at risk of relinquishing their lead in the East. On the contrary, the picture in Anaheim is looking brighter for the Ducks to take home the Presidents' Trophy. The battle of the birds will set up an exciting last leg of the NHL's regular season.