Game 66: Ducks Face Blackhawks In A Matinee Affair

Graphic: Goldstar.com

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks(32-21-12) play the Chicago Blackhawks(28-29-8). The game starts at 1:00 PM PT and will be on Prime Ticket locally and AM 830.

Anaheim Outlook:

The Ducks are coming off a solid 4-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Ryan Getzlaf sat out with an illness but is expected back today. Anaheim is currently one point behind Los Angeles for third place in the Pacific Division. The Ducks actually received help from the Blackhawks as they were able to rally and beat the Kings after being down 3-1 last night.

Keys To The Game

The Ducks played a solid even-strength game against Columbus and were excellent shorthanded basically scoring two goals off one Columbus power play. Chicago played last night so the Ducks need to come out strong and get an early lead. When the Ducks can put forth a solid 60-minute effort usually good things happen.

Anaheim’s Projected Lineup:

Offense
Rickard Rakell – Ryan Getzlaf – Corey Perry
Andrew Cogliano – Ryan Kesler – Jakob Silfverberg
Nick Ritchie – Adam Henrique – Ondrej Kase
Jason Chimera – Antoine Vermette – Chris Kelly

Defense
Cam Fowler  – Brandon Montour
Hampus Lindholm –  Francois Beauchemin
Marcus Pettersson – Josh Manson

In Net
John Gibson, 23-15-6, GAA 2.50, SV% .925 (Unconfirmed)

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Chicago Outlook:

The Blackhawks have been having an off year and are currently in last place in the Central Division. Chicago has gone 4-6-0 in their last 10 games. Patrick Kane leads the team with 24 goals and Alex DeBrincat has 22 goals.

Keys To The Game

Chicago was able to build a 2-0 lead against the Ducks when these teams met a few weeks ago, but they ended up allowing the Ducks to rally. The Blackhawks have still been able to produce scoring 2.83 goals per game, but they also give up 2.89 goals against per game. Chicago is likely going to need to score at least three goals today in order to pull down two points.

Projected Lineup:

Offense
Brandon Saad – Jonathan Toews– Patrick Kane
Tomas Jurco – Artem Anisimov – Anthony Duclair
Alex DeBrincat – Nick Schmaltz – Vinnie Hinostroza
Patrick Sharp – David Kampf – Matthew Highmore

Defense
Duncan Keith – Connor Murphy
Erik Gustafsson – Brent Seabrook
Carl Dahlstrom – Jordan Oesterle

In Net
Corey Crawford, 16-9-2, GAA 2.27, SV% .929% (Unconfirmed)

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March 4th, 2018