Game 63: Ducks Host Golden Knights
By Michael Walters
Vegas(33-22-8) at Anaheim(24-30-7)
Pregame Show: DucksNPucks Podcast
TV: 7:00 PM PT/10:00 PM ET, NBCSN
Radio & Post Game Show: KLAA AM 830
Anaheim Outlook
The Ducks continue their homestand tonight against the Vegas Golden Knights. Anaheim is 0-2-0 in their first two games at home. They lost to the Florida Panthers 4-1 and then 1-0 to the Colorado Avalanche. The Ducks are 12-13-3 at home this season.
This will be the fourth and final meeting between these two teams. Vegas beat Anaheim 5-2 in October. In December they split the next two meetings. The Ducks won 4-3 at home and then lost 5-2 in Las Vegas.
Adam Henrique leads the team with 21 goals.
Team News:
The Ducks traded Ondrej Kase to the Boston Bruins for David Backes, prospect Axel Andersson and 2020 1st Round Pick on Friday.
Backes will be wearing number 21. He is currently with the team and took part in the morning skate per the OC Register’s Elliott Teaford. Backes is not expected to play tonight.
We broke down the trade here: Analyzing The Kase Trade
Erik Gudbranson is going to be re-evaluated and could return in about a week per Head Coach Dallas Eakins.
Ducks have recalled Kiefer Sherwood.
Cam Fowler has missed the past couple of games with a lower-body injury. He is considered day-to-day.
Projected Lineup
Offense:
Max Jones – Ryan Getzlaf – Rickard Rakell
Nick Ritchie – Adam Henrique – Troy Terry
Devin Shore – Sam Steel – Jakob Silfverberg
Nicolas Deslauriers – Derek Grant – Carter Rowney
Defense:
Hampus Lindholm – Josh Manson
Brendan Guhle – Michael Del Zotto
Jacob Larsson – Korbinian Holzer
In Net:
John Gibson 17-24-4 GAA 2.95, SV% .906 (Unconfirmed)
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Vegas Outlook
As of today, Vegas is in first place in the Pacific Division. They are two points ahead of Vancouver but have also played two more games. The Golden Knights are currently on a five-game winning streak. They beat Florida last night 5-3.
Vegas averages 3.16 goals per game and they give up 3.00 goals against per game. Their power play is 21.4% efficient and their penalty kill is 77.5% efficient.
Max Pacioretty leads the team in scoring with 29 goals.
Projected Lineup
Offense:
Max Pacioretty – William Karlsson – Mark Stone
Jonathan Marchessault – Paul Stastny – Reilly Smith
William Carrier – Chandler Stephenson – Nicolas Roy
Tomas Nosek – Gage Quinney – Ryan Reaves
Defense:
Brayden McNabb – Nate Schmidt
Nick Holden – Shea Theodore
Alec Martinez – Zach Whitecloud
In Net
Malcolm Subban 8-7-3, GAA 3.08, SV% .893 (Unconfirmed)
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February 23rd, 2020