Game 1: Winnipeg At Anaheim

Winnipeg(0-0-0) at Anaheim(0-0-0)

Pregame Show: DucksNPucks Podcast

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

Radio & Post Game Show: KLAA AM 830

Anaheim Outlook

The Ducks enter this season officially in rebuild mode. Anaheim convened they were embracing the rebuild in the offseason. The Ducks have a league leading 15 players on the opening roster who were acquired through the draft. The team also has the third youngest team with an average age of just over 25.

This team will start the season with several new faces which include Benoit-Olivier Groulx, Mason McTavish, and Greg Pateryn. All three will start in the home opener.

The Ducks took McTavish 3rd overall in the 2021 draft. He can shoot the puck from anywhere on the ice and create scoring opportunities. He is physical at 6’1, 196 pounds and will go into the corners wearing down defenders. He will battle for the puck against the boards and has a competitive edge to his game. For more visit: Ducks Draft McTavish 3rd Overall

The Ducks took Groulx in the second round of the 2018 draft. He spent the 2020-21 season with the San Diego Gulls. In 42 games he recorded 29 points(10 G + 19 A) and had an on ice rating of +14. For more visit: Prospect Update Bo Groulx.

Pateryn has played in 280 NHL games in the past eight seasons and has recorded 42 total points(4 G + 38 A). He is a two-way defenseman with good skating abilities. He can protect the puck along the boards, but isn’t known for his puck handling abilities. He doesn’t have much of an offensive upside, but is responsible in the defensive zone.

The biggest areas of concern for the Ducks this season are scoring and special teams. Anaheim averaged 2.21 goals per game, which was last in the league last year. The power play was successful 8.9% of the time, which was also last in the league. The penalty kill had a 79.9% efficiency.

Regardless the result of this season, there is plenty of excitement with Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale getting to show off their skills more this season.

Projected Lineup per Athletic’s Eric Stephens

Offense:
Adam Henrique – Trevor Zegras – Rickard Rakell
Max Comtois – Ryan Getzlaf – Troy Terry
Mason McTavish – Isac Lundestrom – Jakob Silfverberg
Nicolas Deslauriers – Benoit-Olivier Groulx – Derek Grant

Defense:
Hampus Lindholm – Jamie Drysdale
Cam Fowler – Josh Manson
Greg Pateryn – Kevin Shattenkirk

In Net:
John Gibson 0-0-0 GAA 0.00, SV% .000 (Confirmed)

Winnipeg Outlook

The Winnipeg Jets had a decent season last year finishing 30-23-3. Their record was good enough for third in the North Division last year. The Jets squared off with the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the playoffs and swept them. Despite playing well in the opening round, Montreal returned the favor to Winnipeg sweeping them.

The Jets will look to built off last season. They averaged 3.04 goals a game, which was 12th in the league. They also had the 7th best power play at 23.0% efficiency. One area of concern is the number of shots they give up on defense. They averaged 30.6 shots against per game last season.

Cole Perfetti will be one to watch for the Jets. He was drafted 10th overall in the 2020 draft by the Jets. Last season he played in 32 games for Manitoba Moose recording 26 points(9 G + 17A). He is an excellent puck carrier with an ability to knife through opposing defenses. He also has a quick shot giving him a chance to score from anywhere on the ice.

Projected Lineup 

Offense
Kyle Connor – Paul Stastny – Blake Wheeler
Andrew Copp – Pierre-Luc Dubois – Nikolaj Ehlers
Jansen Harkins – Adam Lowry – Cole Perfetti
Kristian Vesalainen – Riley Nash – Dominic Toninato

Defense
Josh Morrissey – Nate Schmidt
Brenden Dillon – Neal Pionk
Logan Stanley – Dylan DeMelo

Goalie
Connor Hellebuyck 0-0-0, GAA 0.00, SV% .000 (Confirmed)

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October 12th, 2021