Game 63: Ducks Visit The Coyotes

Screenshot: NHL YouTube

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks(31-20-11) take a quick trip to Arizona to take on the Coyotes(17-33-10). The game starts at 5:00 PM PT and will be on Prime Ticket locally and AM 830.

Anaheim Outlook:

The Ducks have now put together a four-game winning streak. Anaheim defeated Dallas 2-0 earning back-to-back shutouts. Ryan Kesler was banged up in the game against Dallas. It’s possible Derek Grant could start in this place especially with Anaheim playing Edmonton tomorrow. John Gibson has yet to practice since being knocked out of the game against Vegas. He has been placed on the injured reserve list, so it’s likely Ryan Miller will start tonight. Gibson is eligible to return to play on March 2nd against Columbus. Kalle Kosslia has been recalled according to the Orange County Register’s Eric Stephens.

Keys To The Game

The Ducks have turned their defensive game up a notch having not allowed a goal since the second period of the game against the Minnesota Wild(157 minutes of play). Anaheim just needs to keep doing what they have been in the last two games and they will be fine against the Coyotes. If they can avoid playing down to their competition level, then they can earn two points.

Anaheim’s Projected Lineup:

Offense
Rickard Rakell – Ryan Getzlaf – Corey Perry
Andrew Cogliano – Ryan Kesler – Jakob Silfverberg
Nick Ritchie – Adam Henrique – Ondrej Kase
Chris Wagner – Antoine Vermette – J.T. Brown

Defense
Cam Fowler  – Brandon Montour
Hampus Lindholm –  Francois Beauchemin
Marcus Pettersson – Josh Manson

In Net
Ryan Miller, 8-4-5, GAA 2.63, SV% .918 (Confirmed)

Arizona Outlook:

Despite a recent winning streak, the Coyotes are still in last place in the Pacific Division and Western Conference. They are 5-4-1 in their last 10 games. Clayton Keller leads the team with 17 goals and Brendan Perlini has 16 goals.

Keys To The Game

The Coyotes had rattled off four wins in a row before losing to Calgary a few nights ago. During their winning streak, they outscored their opponents 14-4 and never gave up more than two goals in a single game. If they can score first and get back to that style of gameplay tonight, then they have a good chance of earning two points.

Arizona’s Projected Lineup:

Offense
Brendan Perlini – Derek Stepan – Clayton Keller
Josh Archibald – Christian Dvorak – Christian Fischer
Richard Panik – Max Domi – Nick Cousins
Jordan Martinook – Brad Richardson – Zac Rinaldo

Defense
Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Jason Demers
Jakob Chychrun – Niklas Hjalmarsson
Kevin Connauton – Alex Goligoski

In Net
Antti Raanta, 12-15-6, GAA 2.53, SV% .922% (Confirmed)

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February 24th, 2018