Game 7: Depleted Ducks Need To Find A Way To Win

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks(2-3-1) host the Montreal Canadiens(1-5-1). Game time is 7:00 PT and will be broadcast on Prime Ticket and AM 830.

Anaheim Outlook:

It’s been a while since the Anaheim Ducks have played a game. In fact, it’s been since last Sunday when they lost to Buffalo. The Ducks had plenty of time to rest, but it appears they will still be without several players. Randy Carlyle stated that Ryan Getzlaf and Patrick Eaves would be doubtful for tonight’s game. Getzlaf did skate before the team this morning and Eaves visited a specialist.

There was a glimmer of hope that Hampus Lindholm and/or Ryan Miller would suit up for the game tonight, but Carlyle confirmed today they both would not play tonight. Reto Berra will back up Gibson again. Sami Vatanen is also not ready to play yet. It looks like the Ducks may only get Ondrej Kase back tonight with Nic Kerdiles having been sent down to San Diego.

Keys To The Game

The depleted Ducks are going to need to find a way to win tonight. Montreal isn’t having a great season at 1-5-1, but Buffalo didn’t even have a win until they played Anaheim last Sunday. Someone not named Getzlaf, Eaves, or Kesler is going to have to step up and start scoring some goals. Perry got off to a great start with two goals in the season opener, but he has been quiet since then. Anaheim is still looking for their first power play goal as they remain as the only team to have not converted with the extra man.

Anaheim’s Projected Lineup:

Offense
Ondrej Kase – Antoine Vermette – Corey Perry
Andrew Cogliano – Rickard Rakell – Jakob Silfverberg
Nick Ritchie – Derek Grant – Chris Wagner
Jared Boll –  Dennis Rasmussen – Logan Shaw

Montreal Outlook:

The Montreal Canadiens aren’t off to a great start either losing six of their first seven games. The sole win was their season opener against Buffalo and it took a shootout to resolve that contest. Since then they have been outscored 25-8. They have given up four or more goals in four of their six losses. Jonathan Drouin is the only player that has scored more than one goal for Montreal. He leads the team with two goals.

Keys To The Game

Montreal needs to come out and get a lead. If they can put pressure on the Ducks early to make a comeback, then they have a good chance to earn two points. They also need to avoid having a bad period. In their last game against Los Angeles, they gave up four goals in the third period. In the game prior against San Jose, they gave up three goals in the second period.

Montreal’s Projected Lineup(Per MTL website):

Offense
Max Pacioretty – Jonathan Drouin – Alex Galchenyuk
Artturi Lehkonen – Tomas Plekanec – Ales Hemsky
Paul Byron – Phillip Danault – Andrew Shaw
Charles Hudon – Jacob de La Rose – Brendan Gallagher

Defense
Victor Mete – Shea Weber
Karl Alzner – Jeff Petry
Jordie Benn – Joe Morrow

In Net:
Carey Price, 1-4-1, GAA 3.56, SV% .885 (Confirmed)

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October 20th, 2017

Filed under: Ducks News Tagged: Anaheim Ducks, ducksnpucks, montreal canadiens