Graphic: ottawa.ctvnews.ca
By: Matthew Garcia
The Anaheim Ducks (14-9-5) will conclude their three-game homestand today against the Ottawa Senators(16-10-2). This is the first of two meetings between the Ducks and Senators. The game starts at 1PM PT. It is also the Stars Wars themed game.
Anaheim Outlook:
The Ducks are coming off a strong performance against the San Jose Sharks. Hampus Lindholm would pot his first goal of the season since joining Anaheim back on the 9th of November against the Blue Jackets. Lindholm’s first of the year would stand up to be the game-winning goal. With the victory over the Sharks, the Ducks jumped to first place in the Pacific Division. Ryan Kesler would be a part of the Lindholm goal giving him his 12th assist of the season, and team-leading 24th point, Kesler now has six points in the last five games. Anaheim’s goal leaders going into the contest are Kesler with 12 goals, Rickard Rakell with 11 goals, Jakob Silfverberg with eight goals, Cam Fowler with seven goals, and Andrew Cogliano with seven goals.
Keys To The Game:
Anaheim will definitely need to have stronger goaltending and defensive efforts as they have given up 15 goals in the last three games. If they are able to play a tight checking game like they did against San Jose two nights ago they will have a much better chance of success. Anaheim will also look to put pressure on Erik Karlsson and not give him many opportunities as he is an offensive-minded defenseman who is not afraid to jump up in the play, they will need to get the power-play kickstarted again as they have only scored one power-play goal in their last 10 opportunities throughout the past three games. And finally, Anaheim will be looking to strike first in the game. This season Anaheim is 12-1-1 when scoring first in a game.
Anaheim’s Projected Lineup
Offense
Rickard Rakell – Ryan Getzlaf – Corey Perry
Andrew Cogliano – Ryan Kesler – Jakob Silfverberg
Nick Ritchie – Antoine Vermette – Ondrej Kase
Joseph Cramarossa – Stefan Noesen – Logan Shaw
Defense
Cam Fowler – Sami Vatanen
Hampus Lindholm – Josh Manson
Shea Theodore – Kevin Bieksa
In Net
John Gibson (Unconfirmed)
Ottawa Outlook:
The Senators are coming off a 4-1 loss yesterday to the Los Angeles Kings. Zack Smith scored the lone goal in the loss, and Mike Condon made 15 saves on 19 shots. Expect Ottawa to start Craig Anderson vs Anaheim, Anderson in his career against the Ducks is 3-9-1 with a 3.37 GAA and a .901 SV%. Ottawa is currently in second place in the Atlantic Division behind the Montreal Canadiens. The Senators are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games and 7-5-0 on the road this season.
Keys To The Game:
The big key to Ottawa’s success starts on their blue line with Erik Karlsson. Karlsson currently leads the team in points this year with 27(7 Goals, 20 Assists). If they are going score some goals look for him to be the main catalyst. In his career, Karlsson has five points in nine games vs the Ducks. Ottawa’s goal leaders are Kyle Turris with 11 goals, Mike Hoffman with nine goals, Mark Stone with nine goals, Erik Karlsson with seven goals, and Ryan Dzingel with six goals.
Ottawa’s Projected Lineup (Dailyfaceoff.com)
Offense
Mike Hoffman – Derick Brassard – Mark Stone
Ryan Dzingel – Kyle Turris – Bobby Ryan
Zack Smith – Jean-Gabriel Pageau – Tom Pyatt
Buddy Robinson – Chris Kelly – Chris Neil
Defense
Marc Methot – Erik Karlsson
Dion Phaneuf – Cody Ceci
Mark Borowiecki – Chris Wideman
In Net
Craig Anderson (Probable)
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