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Ducks think they’ve grown since last Game 7 loss

Henrik Zetterberg, Jonas Hiller

Detroit Red Wings center Henrik Zetterberg (40) celebrates his goal with teammates as Anaheim Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller lays on the ice during the first period in Game 7 of their first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, May 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

AP

The Los Angeles Kings can lean on their past success in Game 7s when looking for guidance ahead of tonight’s game. For the Anaheim Ducks, it’s just the opposite: They’re looking to their failures for motivation.

Anaheim secured the second seed in 2013, but lost to Detroit in the first round in seven games.

“I think the guys in this room have used Game 7 against Detroit, and the entire series against Detroit, as a teaching point this entire year,” Ducks defenseman Ben Lovejoy said, per NHL.com. “We know we did not play our best against them. We wanted to prove to ourselves and prove to the rest of the League that that was a fluke, and we have another opportunity to do that (tonight).”

Ducks forward Andrew Cogliano felt that the team was nervous against Detroit and coach Bruce Boudreau agreed that there was a mental component to the team’s shortcomings last year.

Anaheim has already made it further this time around by defeating the Dallas Stars in six games. The Ducks have also shown their perseverance by coming back in this series after dropping the first two games at home. There are reasons for them to feel good going into Game 7, although that doesn’t change the fact that the Kings are an remarkably difficult team to finish off.

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