Game 81: Ducks Host Flames

By Julius Choi

Anaheim(33-37-10) vs Calgary(50-23-7)

Pregame Show: DucksNPucks Podcast

TV: 7:30 PM PT/10:30 PM ET, Fox Sports West

Radio: KLAA AM 830

Post Game Show: Duck Calls with Josh Brewster AM 830

Anaheim Outlook

While a hat trick by Rickard Rakell in the Ducks’ 5-1 win over Edmonton on Saturday reminded people of his bright future with the team, it has done little to hide the new lows that are surfacing in Anaheim.

Though an early offseason affords the team’s injured more time to recover and prepare for next season, it has plagued Anaheim all season long. The Ducks lead the league in man games lost this season with over 400. Not only did the injury bug attack the team’s veteran core of Ryan Kesler, Ryan Getzlaf, and Corey Perry but also younger players like Troy Terry and Brendan Guhle.

Center Adam Henrique is the only player for the Ducks to play in all 80 games this season. He has 42 points (18 goals) in his first full season in Anaheim in 16.32 time on ice average.

For a team that has struggled mightily on the offensive end that has led to many losses this season, it is incredible to see the success that Anaheim has had against the Calgary Flames at home over the years. During this span, Anaheim has won 29 of the last 30 games at the Honda Center against Calgary since 2007, according to mcubed.

Ryan Getzlaf has a team-leading 34 assists and 47 points in 65 games played this season. Jakob Silfverberg is leading the team with 23 goals on a career-high 14.5 shooting percentage.

Injury Updates:

Josh Manson is doubtful to play in the remaining games of the 2018-19 season per Bob Murray.

Ryan Getzlaf and Nick Ritchie participated in practice on Tuesday, according to the Athletic’s Eric Stephens. Getzlaf has missed the last four games due to back spasms.

Although a deep playoff run for the San Diego Gulls could mean a return for Troy Terry on the ice. Terry is ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a non-displaced leg fracture due to blocking a shot against Calgary last Friday. His recovery window has been set to 8-12 weeks.

Brendan Guhle could possibly return to the lineup in the season finale against the Kings this Friday. He has been out since March 5 due to an oblique injury and played in five games for Anaheim since being acquired from Buffalo.

For more visit: Terry Out 8-12 Weeks

Roster Moves:

Jake Dotchin, Kiefer Sherwood, and Chase De Leo have been reassigned to San Diego.

Projected Lineup

Offense:
Nick Ritchie – Ryan Getzlaf – Daniel Sprong
Rickard Rakell – Sam Steel – Jakob Silfverberg
Max Jones  – Adam Henrique – Corey Perry
Carter Rowney – Devin Shore – Derek Grant

Defense:
Hampus Lindholm – Jacob Larsson
Cam Fowler – Andy Welinski
Jaycob Megna – Korbinian Holzer

In Net:
John Gibson 25-22-8, GAA 2.86, SV% .916 (Unconfirmed)

Calgary Outlook

The Calgary Flames have come a long way since the 2015-16 season when they possessed the three-headed monster that was Jonas Hiller, Karri Ramo and Joni Ortio. While it was clearly the team’s Achilles heel since Miikka Kiprusoff‘s last season in 2012-13, Calgary’s fortune for a solid backstop seems to have gotten better as of late.

After being veteran netminder Mike Smith’s backup last season, David Rittich has seen an increase in playing time appearing in 44 games in 2018-19. The 26-year-old Czech native has a .911 save percentage compared to Smith’s .898. This is the first time Smith has seen his save percentage dip below .900 since the 2010-11 season when he was a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Johnny Gaudreau leads the team in goals (36), assists (61) and points (97). But it also ranks top 10 in the league. Gaudreau’s playmaking ability has shined on Calgary’s power play as he has 21 helpers with the man advantage this season. With a goal in a 7-2 win over Los Angeles on Monday, he extended his point streak to four games en route to securing home-ice advantage for the entirety of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Projected Lineup

Offense
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Elias Lindholm
Sam Bennett – Mark Jankowski – James Neal
Andrew Mangiapane – Derek Ryan – Garnet Hathaway
Michael Frolik – Alan Quine – Austin Czarnik

Defense
Juuso Valimaki – Michael Stone
Oliver Kylington – Dalton Prout
Oscar Fantenberg – Rasmus Andersson

In Net
David Rittich 27-8-5, GAA 2.60, SV% .911 (Unconfirmed)

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April 3rd, 2019