Game 45: Ducks Host Penguins

By Michael Walters

Anaheim Ducks(19-17-8) vs Pittsburgh Penguins(24-13-6)

Pregame Show: DucksNPucks Podcast

TV: 7:00 PM PT/10:00 PM ET, Fox Sports West

Radio: KLAA AM 830

Post Game Show: Duck Calls with Josh Brewster AM 830

Anaheim Outlook

Rickard Rakell returned to the Ducks lineup this past Wednesday after being out for a few weeks. Anaheim held a 1-0 advantage throughout the game against Ottawa, but former teammate Bobby Ryan scored to tie the game in the third period. The Ducks ended up losing in the overtime. Anaheim has reached an all-time nine-game losing streak and Randy Carlyle is still behind the bench. Anaheim is in fourth place in the Pacific Division but is no longer in a playoff spot.

Pontus Aberg and Ondrej Kase both lead the team with 11 goals. Ryan Getzlaf has nine goals and leads the team with 29 total points(9 G + 20 A).

Injury News

Patrick Eaves is getting close to returning and could join the team on the upcoming road trip per the Athletic’s Eric Stephens.

Corey Perry continues to work out and progress, but he is still not skating yet.

Roster Moves

None to report.

Projected Lineup

Offense
Rickard Rakell – Ryan Getzlaf – Daniel Sprong
Andrew Cogliano – Ryan Kesler – Jakob Silfverberg
Nick Ritchie  – Adam Henrique – Ondrej Kase
Pontus Aberg – Carter Rowney – Kiefer Sherwood

Defense
Cam Fowler – Josh Manson
Brandon Montour – Hampus Lindholm
Jacob Larsson – Jake Dotchin

In Net
John Gibson 15-13-7, GAA 2.62, SV% .923(Unconfirmed)

Pittsburgh Outlook

The Penguins last played on Tuesday blowing out the Florida Panthers 5-1. Bryan Rust scored twice in the contest and the Penguins had two shorthanded goals. Matt Murray has won eight straight starts in a row. The Penguins have the fifth highest scoring offense averaging 3.51goals a game. They give up 2.81 goals on average against which is 10th best in the league. Pittsburgh’s power play ranks 6th in the league at 25.6% and the penalty is 4th best at 84.3%. The Penguins are currently in second place in the Metropolitan Division.

Sidney Crosby leads the team in goals(20) and total points(53).

Projected Lineup

Offense
Jake Guentzel – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust
Tanner Pearson – Evgeni Malkin – Dominik Simon
Riley Sheahan – Derick Brassard – Phil Kessel
Derek Grant – Matt Cullen – Garrett Wilson

Defense
Brian Dumoulin – Kris Letang
Olli Maatta – Jamie Oleksiak
Marcus Pettersson – Jack Johnson

In Net
Matt Murray 12-5-1, GAA 2.78, SV% .917(Unconfirmed)

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January 11th, 2019