FanHouse Andrew Ebbett

Surely, NBC executives were grateful for the work of Anaheim Duck Todd Marchant. After all, they were one period of extra-time hockey away from having to pre-empt the start of prime-time programming. Being that this is May, a major ratings period in television, this isn't exactly a wonderful proposition. Even the biggest hockey fan has to admit that there isn't a huge number coming to you when you air a hockey game.

Those who were watching, though, were treated to a classic. The Ducks and Red Wings gave us our first multiple-overtime game of these playoffs, and one can only hope it's a sign of things to come in this hotly-contested series.

The San Jose Sharks are by no means out of this series yet. But with every period, every game, the monkey on their back gets bigger and bigger and the hill they're climbing slowly starts to resemble a mountain.

Tonight, the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Sharks 3-2 in San Jose to take a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven series. And the Ducks -- the ones with a Cup and battle tested playoff experience -- are getting the better of a team that is creeping ever closer towards a reality that includes another early playoff exit.

---

---

Newsmakers in the NHL is a weekday morning attempt to clear yesterday's rebounds and look to the day ahead.

Ducks 7, Avalanche 2: This game won't be showing up on the career highlight film for Andrew Raycroft, as the veteran netminder surrendered four goals on just eight shots during the second period of Anaheim's 7-2 thrashing of Colorado. Corey Perry scored a pair of goals for the Ducks, while rookie Andrew Ebbett added a goal and two assists in the win.