Anaheim Ducks December Preview

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Anaheim Ducks wrapped up the month of November with a heartbreaking 4-3 loss in a shootout to their California rivals, the San Jose Sharks.

The Ducks finished with a record of 8-4-3, and collecting 19-of-30 possible points. The month saw a lot of highs, and some lows – with their captain coming through in the clutch when they needed it the most – to seeing more and more faces fall victim to the injury bug.

Looking ahead to the month of December, Anaheim will take part in 13-games – seven on the road and six at the Honda Center. Here are the five biggest games to watch in the final month of the year,

December 3 vs. Los Angeles Kings

Somehow these two have yet to play each other, and will get their first chance to do so Tuesday night. After splitting the season series last year, the Ducks will look to get off on the right foot against their arch-rival.

December 6 at. Chicago Blackhawks

The Ducks have yet to meet up with the Blackhawks as well this season, but this will be a good test for Anaheim going up against the defending champs and the team currently with the most points in the NHL.

December 7 at. St. Louis Blues

The night after a tough contest, possibly an even tougher test awaits the Ducks as they face the Blues on the road. Picked by many to be the Western Conference champion this year. With one of the stingiest defenses in the league, the Ducks will have to turn this into a defensive chess match.

December 17 at. Detroit Red Wings

No longer Western Conference foes, the Ducks will matchup against the Red Wings for the first time as just ‘foes’. Maybe losing to them in the playoffs was the best thing to happen to the Ducks, as they have come out like they are on a mission. Or maybe they realize they won’t have to go through Detroit in the playoffs, who have bounced them two out of the last three times the Ducks have been eliminated.

December 23 at. Washington Capitals

Two of the best in the game matchup, and the Ducks’ defense will have their hands full going up against super sniper Alexander Ovechkin. The last time the Ducks visited the Verizon Center – Bruce Boudreau was the head boss, of the Captials, as the Ducks suffered a 5-4 overtime loss.

A Look Ahead

Dec. 3 vs LA Kings

Dec. 6 @ Chi Blackhawks

Dec. 7 @ St. Louis Blues

Dec. 9 vs New York Islanders

Dec. 11 vs Minnesota Wild

Dec. 15 vs Edmonton Oilers

Dec. 17 vs Detroit Red Wings

Dec. 20 @ New Jersey Devils

Dec. 21 @ New York Islanders

Dec. 23 @ Washington Capitals

Dec. 28 vs Phoenix Coyotes

Dec. 29 @ San Jose Sharks

Dec. 31 vs San Jose Sharks

Anthony Murphy is the editor at Pucks Of A Feather. You can reach him by email amurphy540@pullinamurph.com or follow him on Twitter @AMurphyTFC