Game 29: Ducks Look For Better Start Against Senators

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks(11-11-6) finished their road trip and return home to face the Ottawa Senators(9-10-6). The game starts at 7:00 PM PT and will be on Prime Ticket locally and AM 830.

Anaheim Outlook:

The Ducks are coming off a long six-game road trip that saw them earn five points. Rickard Rakell played in last night’s shootout loss to Vegas. Jakob Silfverberg and Joseph Blandisi were both out with upper body injuries. Blandisi is day-to-day and Silfverberg might have a chance to play tonight as he is a game-time decision. Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler were present on the ice this morning for the optional skate. Hampus Lindholm was placed on the injured reserve list and is eligible to return on Monday December 11th.

Keys To The Game

The Ducks need to get off to a solid start. They almost got blown out of the first period against Vegas last night if not for the strong play of John Gibson. If Anaheim can get a lead in the third period, then they need to work on keeping it. The Ducks let two different one goal third period leads in each of their last games slip away and eventually result in shootout losses.

Anaheim’s Projected Lineup:

Offense
Rickard Rakell – Adam Henrique – Corey Perry
Andrew Cogliano – Chris Wagner – Kevin Roy
Nick Ritchie – Antoine Vermette – Ondrej Kase
Dennis Rasmussen – Derek Grant –  Logan Shaw

Defense
Cam Fowler  – Josh Manson
Jaycob Megna – Kevin Bieksa
Francois Beauchemin – Brandon Montour

In Net
Ryan Miller 2-0-4, GAA 2.02, SV% .936 (Probable)

Ottawa Outlook:

The Senators have 24 points and find them selves tied for 6th in the Atlantic Division with the Florida Panthers. Mark Stone leads the team with 14 goals and Mike Hoffman has nine goals.

Keys To The Game

Ottawa has had issues with their special teams play. Their power play is 16.84% efficient and their penalty kill is 76.71%, which both rank them as 25th in the league. Ottawa is 5th best in the face-off circle winning 52.31% of the draws so they will look to control possession in this game and focus on their even strength play.

Ottawa’s  Projected Lineup:

Offense
Bobby Ryan – Derick Brassard – Mark Stone
Zack Smith – Matt Duchene – Ryan Dzingel
Mike Hoffman – Jean-Gabriel Pageau – Gabriel Dumont
Tom Pyatt – Nate Thompson – Alexandre Burrows

Defense
Ben Harpur – Erik Karlsson
Dion Phaneuf – Thomas Chabot
Johnny Oduya – Fredrik Claesson

In Net
Craig Anderson, 7-8-3, GAA 3.06, SV% .895 (Confirmed)

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December 6th, 2017

Filed under: Ducks News Tagged: Anaheim Ducks, ducksnpucks, ottawa senators