Game 34: Ducks At Blue Jackets

By Michael Walters

Anaheim Ducks(17-11-5) @ Columbus Blue Jackets(17-12-2)

Pregame Show: DucksNPucks Podcast

TV: 4 PM PT/7 PM ET, KCOP 13

Radio: KLAA AM 830

Post Game Show: Duck Calls with Josh Brewster AM 830

Anaheim Outlook

The Ducks finished their homestand by rallying and beating the Dallas Stars 6-3. Ondrej Kase recorded his first hat trick to help Anaheim earn the win. The Ducks have scored 16 goals during their four-game homestand going 3-1-0. Anaheim is tied for second place in the Pacific Division with the San Jose Sharks at 39 points.

Pontus Aberg leads the team with ten goals. Ryan Getzlaf has eight goals and leads the team with 24 total points(8 G + 16 A).

Injury News

Ryan Miller and Rickard Rakell have both been placed on the injured reserve list. Rickard Rakell sustained an ankle injury in the game against Chicago. He has been wearing a walking boot and the timetable for his return is unknown. Miller was injured in the win over the Devils when Joshua Mahura crashed into the goaltender while he was defending against Taylor Hall. Miller is projected to be out for six weeks.

Cam Fowler has been working out and improving, but both him and Rakell will not be available on this road trip.

Roster Moves/Trades

On Monday Anaheim made two trades with Toronto. The Ducks acquired Adam Cracknell for Steven Oleksy and Jeff Glass for future considerations. Cracknell and Glass have both been assigned to San Diego. Chad Johnson, who was picked up on waivers, is currently Gibson’s backup.

For more visit: Ducks Make Two Trades

Projected Lineup

Offense
Pontus Aberg – Ryan Getzlaf – Ondrej Kase
Andrew Cogliano – Ryan Kesler – Jakob Silfverberg
Nick Ritchie  – Adam Henrique – Daniel Sprong
Brian Gibbons – Carter Rowney – Kiefer Sherwood

Defense
Jacob Larsson – Josh Manson
Brandon Montour – Hampus Lindholm
Joshua Mahura – Jake Dotchin

In Net
John Gibson 13-9-4 GAA 2.60 SV% .925(Confirmed)

Columbus Outlook

The Blue Jackets are coming off a 4-1 win over Los Angeles. The Kings scored first, but the Blue Jackets scored twice in the first period to take the lead. In the second period, Columbus scored two goals 20 seconds apart and never looked back after that. Columbus can score plenty of goals averaging 3.42 per game, but they also give up 3.29 against per game. They are currently in second place behind Washington in the Metropolitan Division.

Cam Atkinson leads the team with 19 goals. He is tied for the team lead in total points(34) with Artemi Panarin.

Projected Lineup

Offense
Artemi Panarin – Pierre-Luc Dubois – Cam Atkinson
Nick Foligno – Boone Jenner – Josh Anderson
Oliver Bjorkstrand – Alexander Wennberg – Anthony Duclair
Markus Hannikainen – Brandon Dubinsky – Riley Nash

Defense
Ryan Murray – Seth Jones
Markus Nutivaara – David Savard
Zach Werenski – Scott Harrington

In Net
Sergei Bobrovsky, 12-10-0, GAA 3.04, SV% .901 (Unconfirmed)

Related Articles:

Anaheim’s Heating Up

Ducks Make Two Trades

Jordan Samuels-Thomas Interview 

Contender or Pretender?

Consistently Inconsistent

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December 15th, 2018