Ducks vs. Calgary: Flames captain Giordano’s availability is key

There will be plenty of reminders about the Ducks’ dominance at home against the Calgary Flames, and it certainly is an impressive regular-season run, dating back to Jan. 19, 2004. Calgary has not won at Anaheim in 20 games.

But that’s the regular season. It should be noted that the Flames did win a game in Anaheim the last time the teams met in the playoffs, the first round in 2006. Calgary won Game 3 at Anaheim, 5-2, but the Ducks won the series in seven games.

One key this time around could be the availability of Flames defenseman and captain Mark Giordano, who had surgery in March to repair a biceps tendon and has resumed skating. There remains a possibility he could be ready later in the series against the Ducks if he progresses ahead of schedule.

“On TV they said he should be available for the third round,” Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau said on Sunday. “But you know what, they said the same thing about [Chicago’s] Patrick Kane, and he ended up playing right away.

“… If he’s in, we’ll have to adjust. He’s a great player and would add a lot to their team.”

Ducks offense vs. Flames defense

Calgary features an active defense, even more active than the Winnipeg Jets. The challenges will only increase for the Ducks should the Flames regain the services of Giordano later in the series. Giordano was having a Norris Trophy-type season when he suffered the injury near the trade deadline.

Ducks defense vs. Flames offense

How to combat the Flames’ No. 1 line featuring youngster Sean Monahan centering Jiri Hudler and Johnny Gaudreau, who is a finalist for rookie of the year. The trio combined for 86 goals in the regular season and combined for 10 points in the series-clinching Game 6 against the Vancouver Canucks.

Goalies

Anaheim goalie Frederik Andersen’s star turn came in the first round against the Jets as he allowed one third-period goal in four games, showing poise under immense pressure. It’s become almost expected for teams to use two goalies in a series, and the Flames’ Karri Ramo got the Game 6 win in relief for Jonas Hiller, who allowed two goals on three shots.

Special teams

Neither Calgary nor the Ducks were able to crack the league’s top 10 in terms of the power play or penalty killing during the regular season The power play: Calgary 13th, the Ducks 28th. Penalty kill: Anaheim 15th, the Flames 20th. In the first round, however, the Flames’ power play went five for 18.

Home ice

Anaheim held the second-best home record in the Western Conference in the regular season, behind only Nashville, which was eliminated in the first round. The Flames had the seventh-best home record in the West. The Ducks, who have the home-ice advantage against the Flames, had the best road record in the West and the Flames the eighth.

lisa.dillman@latimes.com

Twitter: @reallisa