Preview: Ducks Travel To Winnipeg

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks(42-23-11) continue their road trip against the Winnipeg Jets(35-35-7). The Ducks are 2-0-0 against the Jets this season.

Join us at El Ranchito in Orange for a watch party at 5 PM! Admission is free! The address is 182 S. Orange St., Orange, CA.

Anaheim Outlook:

The Ducks started their road trip with a 4-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks. Anaheim has clinched a playoff spot and that is left to decide is what place they will end up in the Pacific Division. The Ducks currently hold a two point advantage over San Jose and Edmonton for first place. All three teams have six games left to go in the regular season. Ryan Getzlaf was a last minute scratch last game and he is questionable for tonight. The Ducks recalled Ondrej Kase as a result. Rickard Rakell leads the Ducks with his career-high 32 goals. Ryan Kesler and Jakob Silfverberg both have 21.

Keys To The Game

The Ducks need to just keep the momentum going. They have been scoring more goals and playing solid defense. They may have to play again tonight without their captain, but they should still be able to pull out two points. The only area of concern for the Ducks is being more productive on the power play.

Anaheim’s Projected Lineup

Offense
Patrick Eaves – Ryan Getzlaf – Rickard Rakell
Andrew Cogliano – Ryan Kesler – Jakob Silfverberg
Nick Ritchie – Antoine Vermette – Corey Perry
Chris Wagner – Nate Thompson – Logan Shaw

Defense
Cam Fowler – Kevin Bieksa
Hampus Lindholm – Josh Manson
Sami Vatanen – Brandon Montour

In Net
Jonathan Bernier, 19-7-3, GAA 2.42, SV% .919 (Confirmed)

Winnipeg Outlook:

The Jets defeated the New Jersey Devils 4-3 in a shootout Tuesday night for their second consecutive win and fifth win in their last seven games. Despite playing better as of late, the Jets have been eliminated from making the playoffs. They will be playing for pride for their final five games of the season. Patrik Laine leads the team with 34 goals. Mark Scheifele has 29 goals. Blake Wheeler and Nikolaj Ehlers both have 23 goals.

Keys To The Game

The Jets have been winning games due to their special teams as of late. The Jets are 8-for-28 (28.6%) on the power play in their last eight games and they are a perfect 7-for-7 on the penalty kill in their last three games. Winnipeg will likely have to rely on the special teams to get two points tonight. They have been shorthanded the most in the NHL this season(263 times).

Winnipeg’s Projected Lineup

Offense
Nikolaj Ehlers – Bryan Little – Patrik Laine
Mathieu Perreault – Mark Scheifele – Blake Wheeler
Brandon Tanev – Nicolas Petan – Chris Thorburn
Andrew Copp – Adam Lowry – Joel Armia

Defense
Julian Melchiori – Dustin Byfuglien
Josh Morrissey – Brian Strait
Mark Stuart – Nelson Nogier

In Net
Connor Hellebuyck, 24-19-4, GAA 2.94, SV% .905 (Unconfirmed)

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March 30th, 2017

Filed under: Ducks News Tagged: Anaheim Ducks, ducksnpucks, winnipeg jets