Anaheim Ducks vs. St. Louis Blues: Game Preview, Line Rushes

The Anaheim Ducks look to begin the 2015 calendar year with a win on the third game of their eight game homestand. The end to 2014 was not remotely close to a good one, with the team losing 3-0 to the San Jose Sharks in a game where they ceded eight power-play opportunities. St. Louis is 1-4-1 in their last six, but still sit in the third spot in the Central Division. This will be the deciding match in the season series, as both teams traded shutouts in the first two meetings (the Ducks won 3-0 on October 19th, while the Blues won 2-0 on October 30th).

For the Ducks, Kyle Palmieri looks set to return after missing six games with a shoulder injury. Emerson Etem was sent down to AHL Norfolk to make room for the move. Ryan Getzlaf won the NHL’s Player of the Month for December, leading the league in assists (15) and points (20) as the Ducks went 10-3-1 in 14 games. Corey Perry returned against the Sharks on Wednesday, playing 16:21. Palmieri’s return should make Rene Bourque a scratch.

According to Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register, here are the expected lineups for both teams tonight.

Anaheim Ducks Forward Lines:

Devante Smith-Pelly – Getzlaf – Perry
Matt Beleskey – Ryan Kesler – Palmieri
Andrew Cogliano – Rickard Rakell – Jakob Silfverberg
Patrick Maroon – Nate Thompson – Tim Jackman

On the Ducks defense, Sami Vatanen has gone cold, going pointless in his last six games. It is no coincidence that the Ducks have failed to convert their past 21 power-plays. Francois Beauchemin will be playing just his fourth game since returning from a broken finger in his hand, but he logged a team-high 21:52 against the Sharks on Wednesday.

Anaheim Ducks Defense Pairings:

Cam Fowler – Ben Lovejoy
Hampus Lindholm – Beauchemin
Clayton Stoner – Vatanen

As for the Blues, they are coming off a 3-2 loss to the Nashville Predators, when they allowed a whopping 47 shots on goal. Russian Vladimir Tarasenko has had a terrific season with 22 goals and 39 points, both of which lead the Blues. He and linemate Jori Lehtera have 17 assists apiece, which is tied for the most among Blues forwards. Jaden Schwartz will not play against the Ducks, but may return from his foot injury against the Sharks on Saturday.

St. Louis Blues Forward Lines:

Alex Steen – David Backes – T.J. Oshie
Lehtera – Paul Stastny – Tarasenko
Dmitrij Jaskin – Patrik Berglund – Ryan Reaves
Steve Ott – Colin Fraser – Maxim Lapierre

On the Blues defense, Kevin Shattenkirk has had a marvelous season as well, with a team-leading 24 assists and an NHL-high 19 power-play points. Alex Pietrangelo has been a horse for the Blues, playing 25:35 per game and logging 21 points on the season. Jay Bouwmeester had his ironman streak of 737 snapped this season, but he still logs 23:11 per game in a shutdown role for St. Louis. Carl Gunnarsson will return from his concussion.

St. Louis Blues Defense Pairings:

Bouwmeester – Pietrangelo
Gunnarsson – Shattenkirk
Barret Jackman – Chris Butler

In net, Frederik Andersen (20-6-5, 2.28 GAA, .916 SV%) will get the nod. Opposing Andersen will be Martin Brodeur (3-2-0, 2.63 GAA, .904 SV%), who got a 16-save shutout against the Colorado Avalanche in his last start on Monday.

Jason Byun is the editor for Pucks of a Feather. He can be found on Twitter. For more Anaheim Ducks coverage, follow Pucks of a Feather on Twitter or like us on Facebook.