Colorado Avalanche vs. Anaheim Ducks Preview
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The Anaheim Ducks host the Colorado Avalanche for their final regular season home game. In terms of regular season standing and playoffs this game has no implications for the Ducks. This appears to be Teemu Selanne‘s last regular season home game.
Season Series: 1-1-0
Last Matchup: 6-4 (Mar. 14)
The Ducks last played the Avalanche in Colorado on Mar. 14. The won 6-4 in a wild west shoot out.
John Mitchell scored first for the Avalanche to give them a 1-0 lead after the first period. Then the second period saw an explosion of offensive as a total of nine goals were scored in the period. At one point the Ducks scored four times in a row to build a 5-2 lead.
The Avalanche did score two goal in 33 seconds to make the game 5-4. Mathieu Perreault did answer in the final minute of the minute to make it 6-4, which was the final score.
Keys to the Game:
1. Cycle: Good things happen when the Ducks get the puck deep in the offensive zone. Sustaining pressure results in good scoring chances and penalties by the opposing team.
2. Defense: The Ducks need to do a better job with their defensive zone coverage. The Avalanche have scored 10 times in just two games against the Ducks.
1. Pressure: The Avalanche will help their cause by creating turnovers. They have had success against the Ducks in the past and it has led to odd man rushes.
2. Balanced Attack: Five players have 20 or more goals, so the Avalanche can roll several lines all with the ability to score.
Players to Watch:
Teemu Selanne will play in his final home game at Honda Center. Watch for him to be flying around the ice.
Devante Smith-Pelly had a goal last night. He also had the game winning shootout goal in first shootout attempt.
Ryan O’Reilly leads their team with 28 goals. He is also leading the team with 9 power play goals.
Gabriel Landeskog is a play maker. The 21 year-old captain is third on the team in points and is a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Starting Goalies:
Jonas Hiller: 26-10-6 2.34 GAA .915 SV% (Unconfirmed)
Semyon Varlamov: 41-14-6 2.41 GAA .927 SV% (Unconfirmed)
Team Stats:
53-20-8, 114 points (Last 10: 7-2-1)
52-22-7, 111 Points (Last 10: 8-1-1)
This game could be a high scoring affair as 17 goals have been scored in the two previous meetings.
Tonight is Fan Appreciation night at Honda Center. For those going to the game, get ready to win prizes and see Selanne is his final home game of the regular season.
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