Game 35: Ducks At Penguins

By Michael Walters

Anaheim Ducks(18-11-5) @ Pittsburgh Penguins(15-11-6)

Pregame Show: DucksNPucks Podcast

TV: 4 PM PT/7 PM ET, Fox Sports West

Radio: KLAA AM 830

Post Game Show: Duck Calls with Josh Brewster AM 830

Anaheim Outlook

The Ducks began their road trip with a 2-1 OT win against Columbus. Daniel Sprong led the way scoring both goals for Anaheim. Sprong will get to face his old team tonight. Anaheim has won eight of their last nine games and is tied for second place in the Pacific Division with the San Jose Sharks at 41 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

Last week 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 14-9-4 GAA 2.54 SV% .927(Unconfirmed)

Pittsburgh Outlook

The Penguins are coming off a 4-3 OT win over the Los Angeles Kings last Saturday. The Penguins built a 2-0 lead early in the contest, but the Kings battled back and the teams were tied at three after regulation. In overitme, Phil Kessel scored on the power play to get the win for Pittsburgh. The Penguins have won their last two games and are currently in third place in the Metropolitan Division. The Penguins have the seventh-best offense averaging 3.41 goals per game. They do give up 3.19 goals against per game, however.

Sidney Crosby leads the team with 15 goals. Crosby, Phil Kessel, and Evgeni Malkin are tied for the team lead in total points(35).

Projected Lineup

Offense
Tanner Pearson – Sidney Crosby – Jake Guentzel
Zach Aston-Reese – Evgeni Malkin – Phil Kessel
Riley Sheahan – Derick Brassard – Bryan Rust
Derek Grant – Matt Cullen – Garrett Wilson

Defense
Olli Maatta – Jamie Oleksiak
Brian Dumoulin – Juuso Riikola
Marcus Pettersson – Jack Johnson

In Net
Matt Murray, 5-5-1, GAA 3.95, SV% .883 (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 17th, 2018