The first two periods were a battle between two offensively challenged teams. The Ducks played the way they have been playing all season, allowing only ten shots on goal, five in each of the first two periods. Anaheim played a solid defensive game, choking their zone, blocking passes and shots. The Rangers reciprocated, allowing 14 shots in the first two periods.
The Rangers could get no offense going, in fact, their best opportunities seemed to come on the penalty kill. They had two solid shorthanded scoring opportunities, one on a break-in by Kevin Hayes and Vlad Namestnikov and the second by Boo Nieves.