Ducks vs. Flames: Three keys to Anaheim’s Game 5 win

The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Calgary Flames, 3-2 in overtime, on Sunday night at Honda Center to win their best-of-seven playoff series and advance to the Western Conference finals against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Here are three keys to the Ducks’ victory over the Flames in Game 5:

1) Anaheim has 30 comeback victories this season, including 22 after trailing in the third period, and it now has six comeback wins in the playoffs. The Ducks were warned throughout the regular season that this pattern of rallying couldn’t continue in the playoffs. It has.

2) Silencing the doubters. It may not be a key to the game, but it was a nice byproduct. Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau won’t have to deal with the questions about not getting out of the second round. “It’s a relief I’ll never get that question,” he said. “Now it’ll be about a Cup final, but I won’t get that other one asked of me again.”

3) Ryan Kesler in the faceoff circle. He only lost four of 22 faceoffs in addition to scoring a goal. He also could’ve won the game in overtime, but clanked a post. Kesler also delivered five hits.