Game 36: Ducks vs Blue Jackets

Anaheim (20-13-2) vs Columbus (14-14-6)

Pregame Show: DucksNPucks Podcast

TV: 7 PM, KCOP-13 / Victory+

Audio: Ducks Stream

Anaheim Outlook

The Ducks were embarrassed last night at home. Dallas dropped a 8-3 beating on Anaheim. The teams were tied early at one, but the Stars scored three more times in the first period to make it a 4-1 contest. They then scored another three goals in the second to make it a 7-1 lead and never looked back after that. Hopefully the Ducks can respond tonight with a better performance.

By The Numbers:

Goals For: 3.43 Per Game
Goals Against: 3.43 Per Game
Power Play: 17.2%
Penalty Kill: 76.1%

Corsi For %
Even Strength: 52.08%
Overall: 52.03%

Fenwick For %
Even Strength: 51.84%
Overall: 51.81%

Cutter Gauthier leads the team with 18 goals.

Team Injuries/News:

Frank Vatrano was fined $5000 by the league for his unsportsmanlike conduct in the third period last night. Vatrano grabbed Jason Robertson and body slammed him onto the ice. Both received penalties on the play. Vatrano was also given 10 minutes for misconduct.

Projected Lineup (Last Game)

Offense:
Cutter Gauthier – Leo Carlsson – Alex Killorn
Chris Kreider – Mason McTavish – Beckett Sennecke
Frank Vatrano – Mikael Granlund – Troy Terry
Ross Johnston – Ryan Poehling – Ryan Strome

Defense:
Jackson LaCombe – Jacob Trouba
Ian Moore – Drew Helleson
Pavel Mintyukov – Radko Gudas

In Net:
Petr Mrazek 3-3-0 GAA 3.85 SV% .868 (Unconfirmed)

Columbus Outlook 

The Blue Jackets have lost six of their last seven games. Their only win in that span of games? Yep, you guessed it, against the Ducks. If they want to beat Anaheim again, then they will likely lean on Zach Werenski who scored twice in their last game against Anaheim and nearly had a hat trick.

Yesterday Columbus acquired Mason Marchment from the Seattle Kraken in exchange for a 2026 4th round pick and a 2027 2nd round pick. Marchment is expected to play tonight.

By The Numbers:

Goals For: 3.34 Per Game
Goals Against: 2.60 Per Game
Power Play: 32.1%
Penalty Kill: 82.9%

Corsi For %
Even Strength: 50.25%
Overall: 49.82%

Fenwick For %
Even Strength: 49.30%
Overall: 48.75%

Zach Werenski  leads the team each with 13 goals.

Offense
Dmitri Voronkov  – Adam Fantilli – Kirill Marchenko
Boone Jenner – Sean Monahan – Yegor Chinakhov
Mason Marchment – Charlie Coyle – Cole Sillinger
Miles Wood – Isac Lundestrom – Kent Johnson

Defense
Zach Werenski – Denton Mateychuk
Ivan Provorov – Damon Severson
Brendan Smith – Dante Fabbro

In Net:
Elvis Merzlikins 6-5-1 GAA 4.03 SV% .879 (Confirmed)

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December 20th, 2025