What Will the Upcoming Road Trip Hold For the Anaheim Ducks?

Jan 4, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) moves the puck defended by Nashville Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm (back) and Nashville Predators left wing Eric Nystrom (left) during the third period at Honda Center. The Anaheim Ducks won in a shootout with a score of 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Starting in Nashville

Before the trip even began it somehow found a way to get more difficult. The Nashville Predators announced that the league’s best goalie to this point, Pekka Rinne, has been cleared to return to the crease. Rinne will be in between the pipes on Thursday night for a key matchup against the Ducks. This will create a marquee matchup between two possible Hart Trophy candidates in Rinne and Ryan Getzlaf.

The first meeting for these teams came back in January, where Ryan Kesler sealed the deal in the shootout to give the Ducks a 4-3 victory. That win, however, came against Carter Hutton in a game where the Predators were also without James Neal.  Nashville sits atop the NHL alongside the Ducks with 72 points (but are ahead because they have played one fewer game). The Predators are led in scoring by rookie sensation Filip Forsberg, who leads Nashville in goals (17) and points (45). Thursday will be a key matchup for both teams in a battle for the top spot in the West. The Ducks will want to come out firing and earn a big two points in the road trip opener.

Next: Game 2: Washington

Feb 3, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) congratulates Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) after their game against the Los Angeles Kings at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Onto Washington

The Ducks will get their first look at the Washington Capitals on Friday night. The road team won both matchups between the two teams last season. Friday will be a difficult game for the Ducks, as it will come on the second leg of a back-to-back on the road. The Ducks have been solid on the back-end of back-to-backs since Bruce Boudreau took over, and the team will look to continue that trend against Washington.

The Capitals are 7-8-3 against Western Conference teams this year after shutting out the Los Angeles Kings 4-0 on Tuesday night. Braden Holtby earned his sixth shutout of the season against the Kings and is surely in the Vezina Trophy conversation. Holtby is 24-10-9 with a 2.17 GAA and .925 SV% to go with his six shutouts, which is second only to Marc-Andre Fleury (seven).

Holtby has been a workhorse, appearing in 44 of the Capitals’ 51 games this season. His spectacular play is a major reason the Capitals have 62 points and currently hold the first wild-card position in the Eastern Conference. The Capitals will also be on the second end of a back-to-back on Friday (as they will be playing in Ottawa the night before) so the goalie situation for both teams is anything but clear at this point.

Next: Game 3: Tampa Bay

Jan 27, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning forward Tyler Johnson (9) takes a shot against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Down to Tampa Bay

The Ducks will also get their first look at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday. The Lightning currently sit atop the Eastern Conference with 69 points. The Ducks split games with the Lightning last season, including a 1-0 victory where the captain Ryan Getzlaf scored with six seconds left in overtime. The Lightning are being led by youngster Tyler Johnson and sniper Steven Stamkos.

If he is in the lineup, then Ducks defenseman Eric Brewer will make his return to Tampa Bay after playing the last five seasons with the Lightning. Brewer was traded to the Ducks at the end of November. The Ducks will catch the Lightning on the second leg of a back-to-back: the Kings will face the Lightning on Saturday. Many see the Lightning as the best team in the Eastern Conference, even beyond their record, and it should be a great test for the Ducks. There should be some fireworks, as numerous stars will clash.

Next: Game 4: Florida

Nov 16, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) points to Florida Panthers center Jonathan Huberdeau (11) after a goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Revenge in Florida

November 16th is likely a day the Ducks have tried to forget about by now, as they played arguably one of their worst games of the season in a 6-2 home loss to the Florida Panthers. Frederik Andersen gave up four goals on 15 shots before eventually being replaced by Jason LaBarbera. The Ducks will look for revenge on Tuesday, when the teams face off.

The Panthers are seven points out of a playoff spot at the moment. Roberto Luongo could be in net for the Panthers (Al Montoya got the start in November) and rookie defenseman Aaron Ekblad is turning heads with his great play. The Ducks won’t want a repeat of the 6-2 loss: the effort was severely lacking in the contest, and the scoreboard was representative of how much better the Panthers were that day. Against a team hungry for a playoff-spot, the Ducks will need to be sharp.

Next: Game 5: Carolina

Mar 2, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Ron Hainsey (65) reacts after a goal by Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) during the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Finishing in Carolina

After outplaying Carolina to start the game this past Tuesday, the Ducks saw their lead quickly vanish. Carolina scored twice early in the third, forcing the Ducks to do something they’ve done frequently the past few seasons, which is come from behind and win. The superstar trio of Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Kesler carried the team in scoring, netting four of the five goals, including Getzlaf’s overtime game-winner.

The Ducks will look for a more complete, 60-minute effort when they finish their road trip in Carolina. The Hurricanes, who have been in the mix of trade rumors and speculations, have been a much better team than their record indicates since the return of Jordan Staal. Ending a road trip with a solid victory can go a long way, so the Ducks will be looking to punctuate a trip with a successful finish.

Next: Final Thoughts

Jan 4, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Kesler (17) celebrates after he scores a goal on a shootout after the game against the Nashville Predators at Honda Center. The Anaheim Ducks won in a shootout with a score of 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

The Ducks ended their five-game Canadian road-trip with a sour taste in their mouths after losing the fifth game in Ottawa 6-2. Getzlaf, Perry and Kesler will look to build off Tuesday’s overtime win and carry the team to a successful trip. The trip starts with three incredibly difficult foes, including the two teams atop their respective conferences (Nashville in the West, Tampa Bay in the East).

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Could the Ducks’ recent defeats against the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks be reason for concern heading into this road trip? It is definitely possible. Could the comeback win against Carolina put the team back on track for the road trip? It is definitely possible. One thing is certain: the Ducks believe they can win every night, and that mindset will be much needed headed into Nashville for one of the “statement games” of the NHL regular-season.

Next: The Anaheim Ducks Have No Reason to Panic