Anaheim Ducks vs. Toronto Maple Leafs: Game Preview, Line Rushes
By Jason Byun
The Anaheim Ducks return from the retirement ceremony of Teemu Selanne for the seventh game of their eight-game homestand when they welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Honda Center. The Ducks are fresh off an emotional 5-4 comeback win in the shootout over the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday. The Leafs have lost nine of their previous 12 games since defeating the Ducks 6-2 on December 16th, firing head coach Randy Carlyle in that span.
For the Ducks, Rickard Rakell is coming off his first multi-goal and multi-point game in the NHL, factoring in on all four goals scored in regulation on Sunday (two goals, two assists). Since the Ducks waived Dany Heatley to create a roster spot for the young Swede, he has been one of the more consistent players for the Ducks this season. Kyle Palmieri recorded his first points since January 2nd against the St. Louis Blues, with a goal and an assist. The Ducks were able to win despite getting any points from their four leading forward scorers, in Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler, Corey Perry, and Matt Beleskey.
According to Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register, here are the expected lineups for both teams tonight.
UPDATE: It seems Beleskey will be scratched tonight, and Jackman will draw in. Smith-Pelly will presumably shift to his off-wing.
Anaheim Ducks Forward Lines:
Patrick Maroon – Getzlaf – Perry
Rene Bourque – Kesler – Palmieri
Andrew Cogliano – Rakell – Jakob SilfverbergBeleskey Devante Smith-Pelly – Nate Thompson – Smith-Pelly Tim Jackman
On the Ducks defense, Eric Brewer has been skating on his own, but he has not resumed practicing with the rest of the Ducks. Sami Vatanen recorded his tenth power-play assist and 15th power-play point on Sunday. The 15 power-play points is fifth among NHL defensemen, behind Kevin Shattenkirk, Keith Yandle, Mark Streit, and Erik Karlsson. Francois Beauchemin played a team-high 24:15 on Sunday, blocking a pair of shots and playing a team-leading 3:48 while the team was shorthanded.
Anaheim Ducks Defense Pairings:
Cam Fowler – Ben Lovejoy
Hampus Lindholm – Beauchemin
Clayton Stoner – Vatanen
For the Maple Leafs, they are coming off a 2-0 shutout against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday, as they began a four-game road trip, including their California portion. Phil Kessel leads the Maple Leafs in assists (24) and points (43), while being tied for the team lead in goals (19). Fellow American James van Riemsdyk also has 19 goals. Interim coach Peter Horachek has split van Riemsdyk from Kessel and Tyler Bozak, instead playing him on a line with Nazem Kadri. Former Duck Daniel Winnik has a team-leading +/-, at +15. Former Duck forwards Joffrey Lupul and Peter Holland are out with injuries.
Toronto Maple Leafs Forward Lines:
Winnik – Bozak – Kessel
van Riemsdyk – Kadri – Richard Panik
David Booth – Mike Santorelli – David Clarkson
Trevor Smith – Sam Carrick – Troy Bodie
On the Leafs defense, Cody Franson leads the defense in scoring with six goals, 21 assists, and 27 points. His partner, Dion Phaneuf, has 20 assists while playing a team-high 23:24 per game. Stephane Robidas, whom the Ducks acquired at the trade deadline last season, has five assists and is a +12 while playing 17:21 per game for the Leafs this season.
Toronto Maple Leafs Defense Pairings:
Phaneuf – Franson
Morgan Rielly – Roman Polak
Jake Gardiner – Robidas
In net, Frederik Andersen (23-6-5, 2.36 GAA, .915 SV%) will get the starting nod. Andersen stopped 28 of 32 shots and four of six shootout attempts against Winnipeg . Opposing Andersen will be Jonathan Bernier (16-11-3, 2.67 GAA, .913 SV%), who stopped 18 of 19 shots against the Kings on Monday, but took the loss.