Game 51: Ducks Host Lightning; Gibson To Honor Kobe & Victims

By Michael Walters

Tampa Bay(30-15-5) at Anaheim(20-25-5)

Pregame Show: DucksNPucks Podcast

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

Radio & Post Game Show: KLAA AM 830

Anaheim Outlook

The Anaheim Ducks are coming off a 4-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes. It was Angels night at Honda Center and it was also a night to honor Kobe Bryant and the other eight crash victims. Public Address Announcer Phil Hulett, his entertainment crew, and the Anaheim Ducks organization did an amazing opening ceremony. If you missed it, then click below to see it.

Tonight the Ducks will turn their attention to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Anaheim played Tampa Bay once this season losing 6-2. The game was tied at one after the first period, but then Tampa Bay scored three times in the second period and took over the game. Tonight will be the second and final match between these two teams.

Adam Henrique leads the team with 17 goals.

Team News:

John Gibson will be wearing a custom goalie mask honoring Kobe Bryant and the eight other crash victims. Click the image below to see more photos of the mask.

Projected Lineup

Offense:
Rickard Rakell – Ryan Getzlaf – Jakob Silfverberg
Nick Ritchie – Adam Henrique – Troy Terry
Max Jones – Sam Steel – Ondrej Kase
Nicolas Deslauriers – Derek Grant – Carter Rowney

Defense:
Hampus Lindholm – Erik Gudbranson
Cam Fowler – Josh Manson
Jacob Larsson – Korbinian Holzer

In Net:
John Gibson 14-20-3, GAA 2.99, SV% .905 (Confirmed)

This preview is dedicated to OC Animal Care. 

Tampa Bay Outlook

The Lightning continue to roll this season with 30 wins already under their belt. They are currently in second place in the Atlantic Division, just five points behind Boston. Tampa Bay is 7-2-1 in their last 10 games.

Tampa Bay averages 3.58 goals per game, which is fourth-best in the league. They give up 2.84 against per game. Their power play is the second-best in the league with a 26.4% efficiency. Their penalty kill is 83.0% efficient.

Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos lead the team each in scoring with 22 goals.

Projected Lineup 

Offense:
Steven Stamkos – Brayden Point – Nikita Kucherov
Ondrej Palat – Anthony Cirelli – Tyler Johnson
Alex Killorn– Cedric Paquette – Pat Maroon
Carter Verhaeghe – Mitchell Stephens – Yanni Gourde

Defense:
Victor Hedman – Jan Rutta
Ryan McDonagh – Erik Cernak
Mikhail Sergachev – Kevin Shattenkirk

In Net
Andrei Vasilevskiy 25-9-3, GAA 2.53, SV% .918 (Confirmed)

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January 31st, 2020