Game 3: Ducks Looking To Bounce Back

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks look to get back in this series already down 2-0. They have a daunting task as they head to Edmonton for Games 3 and 4.

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Anaheim Outlook

The Ducks were without Nick Ritchie in Game 2 as he experienced flu-like symptoms during the pregame warmup. He went on the trip to Edmonton, but it’s not clear if he will play. Kevin Bieksa won’t be playing tonight and appears to be out for while according to Randy Carlyle. Sami Vatanen is dealing with an upper-body injury and he appears not quite ready to play. The Ducks did recall Ondrej Kase and Nic Kerdiles from San Diego yesterday. Regardless who is in the lineup for Anaheim tonight, it’s a must-win game now. If Anaheim goes down 3-0 in this series, then it’s all but over.

Keys To The Game

The Ducks were getting bounces in the series against Calgary but now find themselves not getting any. Both of the Oilers game-winning goals have come of bounces, one from Josh Manson‘s skate and another off Patrick Maroon‘s. If Anaheim wants to get some bounces, then they work hard at getting in front of the Edmonton net. The Ducks, especially Corey Perry, need to set screens in front of Cam Talbot and try to make his life uncomfortable. He played well in Game 2, but he didn’t enough traffic in front to disrupt his play. The Ducks outshot the Oilers 40 to 23 in Game 2, but now they need to get more quality chances.

Anaheim 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 – Brandon Montour
Shea Theodore – Korbinian Holzer
Hampus Lindholm – Josh Manson

In Net
John Gibson (Probable)

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Edmonton Outlook

The Oilers have won both games on the road and now enjoy a 2-0 series lead heading back to Edmonton. Coach Todd McLellan felt the Ducks were the better team for a majority of Game 2 despite the win. The Oilers have been getting fortunate bounces, but they have also been going to the Anaheim net.

Keys To The Game

Edmonton took advantage on the power play in both games. If the Oilers can continue to get power play chances and get fortunate bounces, then they can win tonight and really put Anaheim in a big hole. The Oilers really leaned on Cam Talbot in Game 2 and may have to do so again tonight.

Edmonton Projected Lineup

Offense
Patrick Maroon – Connor McDavid – Leon Draisaitl
Milan Lucic – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Jordan Eberle
Drake Caggiula – Mark Letestu – Zack Kassian
Benoit Pouliot – David Desharnais – Anton Slepyshev

Defense
Oscar Klefbom – Adam Larsson
Andrej Sekera – Kris Russell
Darnell Nurse – Matt Benning

In Net
Cam Talbot (Probable)

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April 30th, 2017

Filed under: Ducks News Tagged: Anaheim Ducks, ducksnpucks, edmonton oilers