Game 42: Ducks Host Predators

By Michael Walters

Nashville(18-15-6 ) at Anaheim(16-20-5) 

Pregame Show: DucksNPucks Podcast

TV: 7 PM PT/10 PM ET, NBCSN

Radio & Post Game Show: KLAA AM 830

Anaheim Outlook

The Anaheim Ducks are coming off a 4-2 loss to the Arizona Coyotes last Thursday. The Ducks played well for 40 minutes of the game and had built a 2-1 lead. In the third period, team defense went out the window and the Coyotes were able to raddle off three consecutive goals en route to a 4-2 win.

The Ducks are in the middle of a three-game losing streak. They haven’t been able to score more than two goals in the recent contests. They have also had difficulty putting together a solid 60 minutes. Anaheim usually plays well enough to win, but only in two out of three of the periods.

Podcast: New Year, Same Ducks?

The Ducks return home for a three-game homestand. Tonight they will play the Nashville Predators with a late start time due to the game being nationally televised. The Ducks will then host the Columbus Blue Jackets and Dallas Stars during the week. Corey Perry was recently suspended so his return to Anaheim will have to wait until April first.

Jakob Silfverberg leads the team with 15 goals.

Team News:

Ondrej Kase(lower-body) did not practice yesterday and has a bone bruise per Head Coach Dallas Eakins. The Athletic’s Eric Stephens believes it could be a foot or leg issue because Kase has had difficulty putting equipment on.

Korbinian Holzer also did not practice yesterday per the OC Register’s Elliott Teaford. It appears to have been a maintenance day.

Rickard Rakell has been placed on the IR. He has been out with an upper-body injury.

The Ducks recalled Kiefer Sherwood and Daniel Sprong.

Projected Lineup

Offense:
Adam Henrique – Ryan Getzlaf – Ondrej Kase
Max Comtois – Isac Lundestrom – Jakob Silfverberg
Max Jones – Sam Steel – Daniel Sprong
Nicolas Deslauriers – Devin Shore – Carter Rowney

Defense:
Hampus Lindholm – Josh Manson
Cam Fowler – Erik Gudbranson
Jacob Larsson – Michael Del Zotto

In Net:
John Gibson 12-16-3, GAA 2.92, SV% .907 (Unconfirmed)

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Nashville Outlook

The Predators played last night and turned in a solid performance beating Los Angeles 4-1. They jumped out to a two goal lead in the first period and never looked back. Nashville had been on a three-game losing streak including a loss to Dallas at the Winter Classic on New Year’s Day.

Nashville has been one of the top-scoring teams in the league averaging 3.42 goals per game, which is 6th best. They do, however, also give up 3.25 goals against per game. Their special teams have been suspect. The power play is 16.2% efficient and the penalty kill is only 74.6% efficient.

Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg lead the team in scoring with 14 goals.

Team News:

Ryan Ellis(head) has been placed on the IR after the hit he received from Corey Perry at the Winter Classic.

Projected Lineup 

Offense:
Filip Forsberg – Ryan Johansen – Viktor Arvidsson
Calle Jarnkrok – Kyle Turris – Mikael Granlund
Rocco Grimaldi – Nick Bonino – Craig Smith
Yakov Trenin – Colin Blackwell – Austin Watson

Defense:
Roman Josi – Yannick Weber
Jarred Tinordi – Mattias Ekholm
Dan Hamhuis – Matt Irwin

In Net
Juuse Saros 5-7-3 GAA 3.22, SV% .890 (Unconfirmed)

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January 5th, 2019