Game 6: Ducks Look To Rebound Against Buffalo

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks(2-2-1) return home to face the Buffalo Sabres(0-4-1). Game time is 6:00 PT and will be broadcast on Prime Ticket and AM 830.

Anaheim Outlook:

In Anaheim’s last game they saw the return of Nick Ritchie, but they also saw Ryan Getzlaf sit out again with his nagging preseason injury. John Gibson was injured in warmups when he took a shot from a fellow teammate. He started the game but had to exit after the first period of play. The Ducks have had a different lineup in every game they have played this season. Gibson did practice yesterday, but Getzlaf did not.

Keys To The Game

Two things that have been constant for the Ducks; slow starts and a poor power play. Anaheim has been scored on first in four of their five games and they have yet to get a power play tally. Regardless who is in the lineup, the Ducks need to find a way to play better first periods. Anaheim also needs to get more traffic and shots toward the net while on the power play if they want to be effective.

Anaheim’s Projected Lineup:

Offense
Patrick Eaves – Antoine Vermette – Corey Perry
Andrew Cogliano – Rickard Rakell – Jakob Silfverberg
Nick Ritchie – Derek Grant – Chris Wagner
Nic Kerdiles –  Dennis Rasmussen – Logan Shaw

Buffalo Outlook:

The Sabres played the Los Angeles Kings last night and lost 4-2. Buffalo is still searching for a regulation win this season and have been outscored by 11 goals this season. Evander Kane and Jason Pominville both lead the team with four goals each. Jack Eichel has two goals. The Sabres need more offense for other players if they want their first regulation win tonight.

Keys To The Game

Buffalo needs to work on their defense. They have given up three or more goals in four games. They have also given up six goals in two contests already this season. They need to score early in this contest since they already played last night. Buffalo is also struggling with their special teams. Their power play is 10.5% efficient and the penalty kill is 76.5% efficient.

Buffalo’s Projected Lineup:

Offense
Zemgus Girgensons – Jack Eichel – Jason Pominville
Evander Kane – Ryan O’Reilly – Matt Moulson
Sam Reinhart – Johan Larsson – Seth Griffith
Benoit Pouliot – Jacob Josefson – Jordan Nolan

Defense
Marco Scandella – Rasmus Ristolainen
Nathan Beaulieu – Matt Tennyson
Josh Gorges – Jake McCabe

In Net:
Chad Johnson, 0-1-0, GAA 5.92, SV% .816 (Probable)

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October 15th, 2017

Filed under: Ducks News Tagged: Anaheim Ducks, buffalo sabres, ducksnpucks