Game 82: Ducks Host Kings

By Julius Choi

Anaheim(34-37-10) vs Los Angeles(30-41-9)

Pregame Show: DucksNPucks Podcast

TV: 7:00 PM PT/10:00 PM ET, Fox Sports West

Radio: KLAA AM 830

Post Game Show: Duck Calls with Josh Brewster AM 830

Anaheim Outlook

The Anaheim Ducks are 6-2-1 in their last nine games, putting them in 23rd place in the league with 78 points. Their positioning currently has them at a 19% chance of landing a top 3 pick in the upcoming 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The team has not been looking like a squad that has been underperforming all year due to injury as they outscored their opponents 8-2 in their last two games.

In the 3-1 win over Calgary on Wednesday, Anaheim shut down the Flames power play by killing all five power plays. Johnny Gaudreau, the seventh leading scorer in the NHL, was dealt his sixth shotless game of the year. For some reason, Gaudreau has struggled against the Ducks this season, registering just one shot on goal in four games.

Ryan Getzlaf has a team-leading 34 assists and 48 points in 66 games played this season while Adam Henrique is the team’s runner-up in points with 42 (18 goals). Jakob Silfverberg is leading the team with 23 goals.

Injury Updates:

Brendan Guhle is likely to play tonight. Guhle has played in five games since coming from Buffalo via a Feb. 24 trade for Brandon Montour.

Roster Move:

Andy Welinski was reassigned to San Diego.

Projected Lineup

Offense:
Nick Ritchie – Ryan Getzlaf – Daniel Sprong
Rickard Rakell – Sam Steel – Jakob Silfverberg
Devin Shore  – Adam Henrique – Corey Perry
Carter Rowney – Max Jones – Derek Grant

Defense:
Hampus Lindholm – Jacob Larsson
Cam Fowler – Brendan Guhle
Jaycob Megna – Korbinian Holzer

In Net:
John Gibson 25-22-8, GAA 2.86, SV% .916 (Unconfirmed)

Los Angeles Outlook

The Los Angeles Kings have lost three of their last five games but defeated the Arizona Coyotes 3-1 on Tuesday behind the effort of goaltender Jack Campbell. Campbell reached double digits in wins for the first time in his career as he stopped 49 of 50 shots faced.

The squad from Los Angeles currently have 69 points in 80 games played this season. This is the lowest point total in a full season for the franchise since the 2006-07 season when they garnered 68 points. They have never won the first overall pick since the 1967 amateur draft as the closest they came to that was when they drafted Drew Doughty with the second overall pick in 2008.

Doughty is set to play in his 409th consecutive game today as he has not missed a single game since 2013-14. He has led the Kings in average ice time in all of the 11 seasons he has been in the NHL.

Anze Kopitar leads the team in points (58) and assists (37) while Dustin Brown has a team-leading 22 goals in 70 games this season.

Projected Lineup

Offense:
Alex Iafallo – Anze Kopitar – Dustin Brown
Kyle Clifford – Jeff Carter – Trevor Lewis
Carl Grundstrom – Adrian Kempe – Tyler Toffoli
Austin Wagner – Mike Amadio – Ilya Kovalchuk

Defense:
Derek Forbort – Drew Doughty
Alec Martinez – Matt Roy
Dion Phaneuf – Paul Ladue

In Net
Jonathan Quick 15-23-7, GAA 3.41, SV% .887 (Unconfirmed)

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April 5th, 2019