Game 7: Ducks Host Sabres

By Michael Walters

Buffalo(5-0-1) at Anaheim(4-2-0) 

Pregame Show: DucksNPucks Podcast

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

Radio: KLAA AM 830

Post Game Show: Duck Calls with Josh Brewster AM 830

*Note: This game preview is updated throughout the day, so check back periodically for updates.

Anaheim Outlook

The Anaheim Ducks return home to Honda Center after going 2-2-0 on their first road trip of the season. The Ducks beat Detroit and Columbus but lost to Pittsburgh and Boston.

Despite giving up four goals in Boston, the Ducks had a strong game against the Bruins. Anaheim carried the play for a majority of the game and had better chances, but just couldn’t convert. The penalty kill remains solid, but the power play still has yet to find the back of the net. The Ducks will have another strong test tonight against a Buffalo team that has yet to lose in regulation.

Cam Fowler, Adam Henrique, Rickard Rakell, and Jakob Silfverberg all lead the team in scoring with two goals.

Injury/Roster Updates:

Brendan Guhle(lower-body injury) did not play in Columbus or Boston and is day-to-day.

Isac Lundestrom was reassigned to San Diego.

Projected Lineup (No Morning Skate)

Offense:
Nick Ritchie – Sam Steel – Troy Terry
Rickard Rakell – Adam Henrique – Jakob Silfverberg
Max Comtois – Ryan Getzlaf – Ondrej Kase
Max Jones – Derek Grant – Carter Rowney

Defense:
Hampus Lindholm – Josh Manson
Michael Del Zotto –  Cam Fowler
Jacob Larsson – Korbinian Holzer

In Net:
John Gibson 3-2-0, GAA 1.82, SV% .941(Confirmed)

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Buffalo Outlook

The Buffalo Sabres are off to an extremely hot start at 5-0-1. They have scored three or more goals in five of their six games so far. The Sabres have scored 24 goals, which is 7th best in the league. They average four goals per game, which is 4th best overall.

Buffalo has the best power play in the league at a crazy 42.9% efficiency. Conversely, their penalty kill is ranked toward the bottom of the league at 76.5% efficiency. The Sabres do have trouble in the face-off circle only winning 48.3% of their draws.

Victor Olofsson leads the team with five goals. Jeff Skinner has four goals of his own.

Injury/Roster Updates:

Former Duck Brandon Montour(hand) is out for several weeks. Zach Bogosian and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen are out indefinitely as both are recovering from hip surgery.

Projected Lineup 

Offense
Victor Olofsson – Jack Eichel – Sam Reinhart
Jeff Skinner – Marcus Johansson – Vladimir Sobotka
Jimmy Vesey – Casey Mittelstadt – Evan Rodrigues
Zemgus Girgensons – Johan Larsson – Kyle Okposo

Defense:
Jake McCabe – Rasmus Ristolainen
Rasmus Dahlin – Colin Miller
Marco Scandella – Henri Jokiharju

In Net
Carter Hutton 4-0-0, GAA 1.74, SV% .931(Unconfirmed)

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October 16th, 2019