Game 79: Ducks At Flames

By Julius Choi

Anaheim(32-36-10) vs Calgary(47-23-7)

Pregame Show: DucksNPucks Podcast

TV: 6:00 PM PT/9:00 PM ET, Prime Ticket

Radio: KLAA AM 830

Post Game Show: Duck Calls with Josh Brewster AM 830

Anaheim Outlook

There is not much to play for other than gain some positioning for the NHL draft lottery. However, the Anaheim Ducks do not appear to intentionally drop games in favor of the #LoseForHughes sweepstakes as they have gone 4-1-1 in the last six games. Anaheim has embraced their role as a spoiler, with two of those wins coming against playoff teams. To this point, look at the Colorado Avalanche who occupy the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference. The Arizona Coyotes are just out of the playoff picture with 81 points with five games left to go.

The Anaheim Ducks have recalled defenseman Jake Dotchin from the San Diego Gulls on Thursday. Dotchin has nearly evenly split time in both San Diego. He has spent 15 of the 35 games he’s played this season in the AHL where he notched four goals and six points. Josh Manson is out tonight after the awkward collision he suffered in the game against Vancouver.

Part of the reason for the Ducks’ demise this season has been the disappearance of able NHL bodies due to injuries. But with four games left, Anaheim should be looking ahead and shut down the rest of the players that are on the IR so they can begin the road to recovery sooner. Doing so has allowed the team to get the younger players like Sam Steel, Troy Terry and Max Jones some reps in.

Ryan Getzlaf has a team-leading 34 assists and 47 points in 65 games played this season. Both Rickard Rakell and Adam Henrique have been on a roll as of late with a three-game point streak.

Injury Updates:

Josh Manson is dealing with an upper-body injury and is seeing a doctor per Bob Murray.

Nick Ritchie is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

Ryan Getzlaf is still out with muscle spasms per Bob Murray and is considered day-to-day. He is now going to miss his third consecutive game.

Jacob Larsson is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Andy Welinski continues to take Larsson’s spot in the lineup/

Projected Lineup

Offense:
Rickard Rakell – Sam Steel – Jakob Silfverberg
Kiefer Sherwood – Devin Shore –  Corey Perry
Daniel Sprong – Adam Henrique – Troy Terry
Max Jones – Carter Rowney – Derek Grant

Defense:
Hampus Lindholm – Jake Dotchin
Cam Fowler – Andy Welinski
Jaycob Megna – Korbinian Holzer

In Net:
Ryan Miller 7-6-2, GAA 2.67, SV% .915 (Probable)

Calgary Outlook

The Calgary Flames are currently the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference as they have garnered 101 points. The 47 games they have won is the third most wins in a season in franchise history and the highest win total since 1988-89 (54). If the standings are how they are today, Calgary will win its first division championship since 2005-06 where they lost to then-Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the first round.

Although the Carolina Hurricanes are in good standings themselves, they had a big hand in Calgary’s success this season as well. Both Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin seem to fit right into the system after being traded to the Flames this past offseason. Lindholm is having a breakout season, tallying 77 points (27 goals) with 26 of them coming from the power play. Hanifin has been slotted in the second pairing with Travis Hamonic.

Although Calgary is currently on a two-game losing streak while being outscored 5-1 in those games, the Flames average the fourth most potent offense in the league with 3.49 goals per game average.

Now in his fifth season in the NHL, Johnny Gaudreau leads the team in goals (35), assists (58) and points (93). Not only is 93 points a career-high for Gaudreau, but it also ranks top 10 in the league.

Projected Lineup

Offense
Johnny Gaudreau – Derek Ryan – Michael Frolik
Matthew Tkachuk – Mikael Backlund – Elias Lindholm
James Neal – Sean Monahan – Austin Czarnik
Andrew Mangiapane – Mark Jankowski – Garnet Hathaway

Defense
Mark Giordano – T.J. Brodie
Noah Hanifin – Travis Hamonic
Oscar Fantenberg – Rasmus Andersson

In Net
Mike Smith 21-15-2, GAA 2.75, SV% .899 (Confirmed)

Become A DucksNPucks Patron!

If you enjoy our work, then consider supporting us at www.patreon.com/DucksNPucks.

Patrons are entered in monthly giveaways which include game tickets and gift cards!

Click below to listen to our podcast or visit us at iTunes, Podomatic, Spreaker, or YouTube.

Want to start your sports media career? Then Join The Puck Network!

DucksNPucks is part of The Puck Network, which covers the entire NHL. There are openings to cover your favorite team(s) and earn school credits! If you are interested, then apply by filling out the form here: Join Our Team. What are you waiting for? Start your sports media career TODAY!

March 29th, 2018