Game 44: Anaheim At Pittsburgh
Anaheim (12-27-4) at Pittsburgh (21-15-6)
Pregame Show: DucksNPucks Podcast
TV: 4 PM PT, Bally Sports
Radio & Post Game Show: Ducks Stream
Anaheim Outlook
The Ducks start a six game road trip with their first stop in Pittsburgh tonight. After beating Dallas and San Jose at home, Anaheim then had a rough finish to the homestand. The Ducks lost their last three games to Boston, Edmonton, and New Jersey all by wide margins. In the recent games, the Ducks have had difficulty in the first period and then find themselves trying to play catch up the rest of the contest.
The team has been averaging 2.26 goals per game, but has also been giving up 4.16 against. They are 15.2% efficient with the extra man and 71.1% efficient on the penalty kill. Anaheim also gives up on average 38.8 shots per game which is the most in the league. They average around 30 shots on goal per game(28.9).
Troy Terry leads the Ducks with 34 total points(12 G + 22 A).
Injury News:
Isac Lundestrom skated with the team at practice yesterday.
Nathan Beaulieu is back with the team after a brief conditioning loan with with the Gulls.
Derek Grant (lower-body injury) remains on the IR.
Justin Kirkland was in a car accident while driving to the game on Sunday. He has been released from the hospital and was placed on the IR.
Projected Lineup
Offense:
Adam Henrique – Mason McTavish – Troy Terry
Max Comtois – Trevor Zegras – Ryan Strome
Frank Vatrano – Sam Carrick – Jakob Silfverberg
Max Jones – Jayson Megna – Brett Leason
Defense:
Cam Fowler – Dmitry Kulikov
Simon Benoit – John Klingberg
Urho Vaakanainen – Kevin Shattenkirk
In Net:
John Gibson 7-19-3 GAA 4.14 SV% .894 (Confirmed)
Pittsburgh Outlook
The Penguins are currently on a two game losing streak. They played Winnipeg and Carolina back-to-back this past weekend and dropped both games. Pittsburgh was only able to score one goal in each contest. The Penguins have gone 2-6-2 in their last 10 games. They are currently in battle for a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Pittsburgh averages 3.19 goals per game and they give up 3.02 against. They have been 20.8% efficient on the power play and 84.2% efficient on the penalty kill.
Sidney Crosby leads the team with 48 total points(21 G + 27 A).
Projected Lineup
Offense
Jake Guentzel – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust
Jason Zucker – Evgeni Malkin – Rickard Rakell
Drew O’Connor – Jeff Carter – Kasperi Kapanen
Danton Heinen – Teddy Blueger – Brock McGinn
Defense
Pierre-Olivier Joseph – Jan Rutta
Brian Dumoulin – Mark Friedman
Ty Smith – Chad Ruhwedel
In Net
Casey DeSmith 5-9-2 GAA 3.10 SV% .907 (Confirmed)
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January 16th, 2023