Anaheim Ducks Return Home To Face The New Jersey Devils
Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
The Anaheim Ducks return home after a four game road trip to face the New Jersey Devils, tonight at 7:00 pm PT/10:00 pm ET. The Ducks are coming off a tough loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins that saw them out shoot the Penguins 12-3 in the first period but fail to score, and eventually fall 3-1 after the Pens poured it on over the next two periods.
All-Time Record vs New Jersey 8-13-1T-2OTL
Last Three Meetings
Loss 2-3 Shootout
Loss 1-2
Loss 1-3
Devils Rundown
New Jersey are currently in fifth place in the Metropolitan Division with 19 points, but have been strong of late – posting a 6-3-1 record in the last ten games and are coming off a victory against the same Penguins team that beat the Ducks Monday night.
After the Ilya Kovalchuk bombshell, most thought that would be the biggest storyline throughout the season for the Devils, but they somehow managed to top that – trading their first round pick for Vancouver Canucks goaltender Cory Schneider. Then every angle inside and out was examined on how Schneider and Martin Brodeur would and if they could co-exist.
So far the answer has been an almost resounding yes. Both have sparkling stats, but they that hasn’t translated to wins for Schneider who only has one win on the year.
Clash Of The Titans
Teemu Selanne vs Jaromir Jagr
Two of the very best to ever play the game will matchup tonight, as both are still kicking it into their 40s. While Selanne hasn’t got off to quite the start that he would want, Jagr has taken off recently and currently leads his team in goals and points.
Both players sit very close to joining a very exclusive club. Only six players have topped the 700 goal plateau and both are 22 goals or less from hitting 700.
Key Players
Ducks – Teemu Selanne
The Ducks have struggled to find consistent scoring behind Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, so it will be up to the man with 678 career goals to help his team. In 26 career games against the Devils, Selanne has scored 18 points (9 G, 9 A) but has been held off the scoreboard in his last seven contest.
Devils – Andy Greene
Greene leads New Jersey in time on ice and blocked shots, and will likely be put on the ice against Getzlaf and Perry as much as possible for being the road team will allow. The Devils allow the second fewest shots per game and Greene’s 30 blocked shots is a big reason for it. He will have to have a good game in his own zone if they are going to win.
Key To Victory
A Quick Start
The Ducks saw what happened if they don’t capitalize on early opportunities. The game was tilted completely in the Ducks favor, but they were unable score and fell to the Penguins.
A quick start will be necessary for both teams, especially the Devils as when they don’t score the first goal of the game they only have a .125 winning percentage and the Ducks have a .714 winning percentage when they do tally the first marker of the game.
The Ducks Will Win If
They use the home ice to their advantage and put the puck in the net in their initial surge. A big game from the PPG line would help but a big game from the secondary scorers would go a long ways.
The Devils Will Win If
Getting by the first Ducks’ surge will go a long ways. Brodeur or Schneider will more than likely have to steal the game for the Devils.