Game 67: Ducks Face Monumental Task

Photo: http://www.oddshark.com

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks(33-21-12) will close out the homestand against the Washington Capitals (37-21-7). The game starts at 7:00 PM PT and will be on Prime Ticket locally and AM 830.

When the gave is over check out our post-game show: Forever Mighty.

Anaheim Outlook:

The Ducks have won their last two games against Columbus and Chicago, but they will have their biggest test of the homestand in the Washington Capitals tonight. Anaheim is currently sitting in third in the Pacific Division. The Ducks are one point behind the Sharks and one point ahead of the Kings. John Gibson will get the start again tonight and it looks like Anaheim will go with the same lineup they had against Chicago.

Keys To The Game

Anaheim has been on a roll offensively lately scoring 10 goals in their last two games. Washington can score goals in bunches, but they can also give them up as well. This game could be a high scoring affair. Washington’s penalty kill is only 79.8% efficient, so the Ducks need to work the forecheck and draw penalties against the Capitals tonight.

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 – Derek Grant – Chris Kelly

Defense
Cam Fowler  – Brandon Montour
Hampus Lindholm – Josh Manson
Marcus Pettersson – Kevin Bieksa

In Net
John Gibson, 24-15-6, GAA 2.51, SV% .925 (Confirmed)

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Washington Outlook:

The Capitals are in first place in the Metropolitan Division with 81 points. They have gone 5-4-1 in their last 10 games. Alex Ovechkin continues to roll offensively this season as he recently scored his 40th goal. Evgeny Kuznetsov has 20 goals.

Keys To The Game

Washington can score goals averaging 3.8 per game, but they also give up 2.95 against per game. They have scored three or more goals in six of their last 10 games so tonight could be a shootout. The Capitals do need to avoid the penalty box and try to play this game at even strength or on the power play. Capitals have the fifth best power play at 22.5% efficiency.

Projected Lineup:

Offense
Alex Ovechkin – Nicklas Backstrom – Tom Wilson
Jakub Vrana – Evgeny Kuznetsov – T.J. Oshie
Brett Connolly – Lars Eller – Andre Burakovsky
Chandler Stephenson – Jay Beagle – Travis Boyd

Defense
Michal Kempny – John Carlson
Dmitri Orlov – Matt Niskanen
Brooks Orpik – Christian Djoos

In Net
Braden Holtby, 29-14-4, GAA 3.00, SV% .908% (Unconfirmed)

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March 6th, 2018