Game 55: Anaheim At Minnesota
Anaheim(17-30-7) at Minnesota(33-14-5)
Pregame Show: DucksNPucks Podcast
TV: 5 PM PT/8 PM ET, KCOP-13
Radio: AM 1110
Anaheim Outlook
This weekend the Anaheim Ducks will take on the Minnesota Wild in their last two games of the season. The Ducks split their previous two games against St. Louis. Anaheim dropped the first game and then won the second one in the shootout. It was an emotional night as it appeared to be the last time David Backes will play a game in St. Louis.
As the season comes to an end, the question for the Ducks is how do they play out these final games. Last night the Buffalo Sabres lost, guaranteeing them the best odds at winning the draft lottery. The Ducks currently have the second best odds and a loss in regulation tonight will lock them in at second.
For most discussion visit: Play for Pride or Pick?
Team News
Josh Mahura was reassigned to the taxi squad.
The OC Register’s Elliott Teaford reports that David Backes will not play this weekend according to Dallas Eakins.
Adam Henrique(COVID Protocol) and Josh Manson(upper-body) will draw back in tonight.
By The Numbers:
Max Comtois leads the team in scoring with 14 goals.
Goals For Per Game: 2.19, 30th in NHL
Goals Against Per Game: 3.13, 23rd
Power Play Efficiency: 9.1%, 31st
Penalty Kill Efficiency: 79.6%, 17th
Corsi For: 48.84%, 16th
Fenwick For: 48.13%, 22nd
Season Record vs Minnesota: 1-5-0
Injury Updates
Andy Welinski was injured(lower body) last week and hasn’t played since.
Sonny Milano(IR upper-body) has been practicing, but is likely done for the season.
Jakob Silfverberg had hip surgery(torn labrum) and will be out for 4-6 months. According to GM Bob Murray, it had been an injury that was nagging him on and off for the last two years.
Hampus Lindholm(wrist) is on the LTIR with a fractured wrist and will be shut down for the season.
Carter Rowney had knee surgery and will be out for 4-6 months. He had a medial meniscus tear in his left knee. He was placed on the LTIR.
Taxi Squad:
Andrew Agozzino
Josh Mahura
Trevor Carrick
Vinni Lettieri
Projected Lineup
Offense:
Max Jones – Isac Lundestrom – Sam Carrick
Max Comtois – Trevor Zegras – Troy Terry
Danton Heinen – Sam Steel – Rickard Rakell
Adam Henrique – Derek Grant – Alexander Volkov
Defense:
Cam Fowler – Josh Manson
Haydn Fleury – Jamie Drysdale
Jacob Larsson– Kevin Shattenkirk
In Net:
John Gibson 9-19-6, 2.95 GAA , SV% .904 (Confirmed)
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Minnesota Outlook
The Minnesota Wild have already punched their playoff ticket. They are currently in third place in the West Division, but still have a chance to finish 1st or 2nd. First place Vegas holds a 4 point lead over Minnesota with both having four games remaining. Second place Colorado is ahead of Minnesota by just one point, but they also have one game in hand.
By The Numbers:
Kirill Kaprizov leads the team in scoring with 26 goals.
Goals For Per Game: 2.96, 13th in NHL
Goals Against Per Game: 3.06, 21st
Power Play Efficiency: 22.5%, 9th
Penalty Kill Efficiency: 76.1%, 28th
Corsi For: 45.89%, 30th
Fenwick For: 46.71%, 28th
Season Record vs Anaheim: 5-1-0
Projected Lineup
Offense
Jordan Greenway – Joel Eriksson Ek – Marcus Foligno
Kirill Kaprizov – Ryan Hartman – Mats Zuccarello
Nick Bonino – Victor Rask – Marcus Johansson
Zach Parise – Nico Sturm – Nick Bjugstad
Defense
Ryan Suter – Jared Spurgeon
Jonas Brodin – Mathew Dumba
Carson Soucy – Ian Cole
In Net:
Kaapo Kahkonen 15-7-0, GAA 2.69, SV% .909 (Confirmed)
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May 7th, 2021