Game Preview: Anaheim Ducks at Detroit Red Wings

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Anaheim Ducks open up a four game road trip against the Eastern Conference with a familiar foe – the Detroit Red Wings. This is the first matchup against each other since the Red Wings bounced the Ducks out of the playoffs in the first round.

No longer in the same conference, we will no longer be treated to any playoff matchups, unless of course they meet in the Stanley Cup Final.

The biggest storyline this season for the Red Wings has been the injuries, seeing both of their top players in Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg miss time with injuries. Zetterberg is still out currently.

Here is how the two teams breakdown;

Category

Detroit

23-7-5 (51 pts)

Record (Points)

15-11-9 (39 pts)

Ryan Getzlaf, 39

Top Scorer

Henrik Zetterberg, 30

16.7 (19)

Power Play

18.3 (12)

80.7 (20)

Penalty Kill

84.6 (9)

3.11 (5)

Goals/Game

2.54 (19)

2.43 (12)

Goals Against/Game

2.51 (13)

.696 (16)

Score First Win%

.524 (26)

The Ducks have the advantage in every category except for the penalty kill, an aspect that the Ducks have been able to get away not being in the top part of the league in anyways.

Player To Watch – Tomas Tatar

Obviously with their leading scorer – and captain – out, the Red Wings have needed other players to step up, and have received a solid contribution from Tomas Tatar. Tatar, 23, was the Wings’ second round pick in the 2009 Draft and like all prospects in their system – was eased along. In 27-games this season, Tatar has registered 13-points (6 G, 7 A) – good for sixth on the team.

With speed to burn, Tatar will be a player to watch for the Ducks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=j8KqfRszAWA

Potential Goaltender Matchup – Jonas Hiller, Ana vs Jonas Gustavsson, Det

Jonas Gustavsson

22

Games Played

13

13-4-4

Record

8-2-2

2.47

GAA

2.09

.915

Save %

.926

2

Shutouts

0

With the struggles of the now injured Jimmy Howard, Jonas ‘The Monster’ Gustavsson has been a pleasant surprise for the Red Wings, leading the team in each major goaltending category (except for games played). In two career games against the Ducks, Gustavsson is 2-0 and has stopped 51-of-56 shots in those games.

Hiller will look to continue his recent streak and improve on his career record of 3-7-1 against the Red Wings. In 12-games, Hiller has 2.78 GAA and a .916 save percentage – including one shutout.

Milestone Watch

The next assist would be assist number 700 for Daniel Alfredsson, who after 17-years as an Ottawa Senator, signed with the Red Wings in the offseason.

If Hiller does indeed play tonight, he will be one game short of 300 for his career. He would become only the third goalie in Ducks’ history to reach that mark playing for the franchise.

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.