Game 58: Ducks Start Their Road Trip In Detroit

Graphic: NHL

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks(27-19-11) hit the road to take on the Detroit Red Wings (22-23-9). The game starts at 4:30 PM PT and will be on Prime Ticket locally and AM 830.

Anaheim Outlook:

The Ducks built a 2-0 lead against the San Jose Sharks but ended up giving two goals in the third period. The game went to overtime and then a shootout, in which the Ducks ended up losing 3-2. Anaheim can’t afford to lose games where they have a lead in the third period.

Dennis Rasmussen was placed on unconditional waivers yesterday and cleared them today. He has elected to go play in the SHL in Europe. His contract will be terminated. Korbinian Holzer was placed on waivers today. Marcus Petersson has been called up and will wear the number 65. Alex Dostie had been playing in the ECHL and he has been reassigned to the San Diego Gulls.

Keys To The Game

The Ducks did everything right for a majority of the game against San Jose. Anaheim needs to get a lead early, but they also need to finish teams off in the final period. A few times this season the Ducks have been caught trying to hang on to the lead and it ends up costing them by losing in overtime or a shootout.

Anaheim’s Projected Lineup:

Offense
Rickard Rakell – Ryan Getzlaf – Corey Perry
Andrew Cogliano – Ryan Kesler – Jakob Silfverberg
Nick Ritchie – Adam Henrique – J.T. Brown
Chris Wagner – Antoine Vermette – Ondrej Kase

Defense
Cam Fowler  – Kevin Bieksa
Hampus Lindholm – Josh Manson
Francois Beauchemin – Brandon Montour

In Net
John Gibson, 19-14-6, GAA 2.60, SV% .923 (Confirmed)

Detroit’s Outlook:

Detroit finds themselves in 5th play in the Atlantic Division with 53 points. They are eight points of the final wild-card spot and are in serious danger of not making the playoffs. Anthony Manta leads the team with 19 goals and Gustav Nyquist has 15.

Keys To The Game

The Red Wings have been struggling on defense giving up 3.04 games per game, which is 9th highest in the league. Their penalty kill is only 77.6% efficient, which is 26th in the league. Detroit needs to limit the Ducks chances tonight and avoid the penalty box if they want to earn two points.

Detroit’s  Projected Lineup:

Offense
Gustav Nyquist – Henrik Zetterberg – Anthony Mantha
Tomas Tatar – Dylan Larkin – Andreas Athanasiou
Darren Helm – Frans Nielsen – Justin Abdelkader
Martin Frk – Luke Glendening – Tyler Bertuzzi

Defense
Niklas Kronwall – Mike Green
Jonathan Ericsson – Trevor Daley
Dan DeKeyser – Nick Jensen

In Net
Jimmy Howard, 15-17-6, GAA 2.85, SV% .910 (Confirmed)

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February 13th, 2018