Anaheim Ducks 10 Thoughts On Tonight’s Game Against The Wild

By Griffin Foster | Oct 18, 2015

The Anaheim Ducks have struggled to score through four games, this much we already know. Tonight marks game number five and home game number four, something must change before absolute panic ensues throughout Orange County.

The Minnesota Wild enter Honda Center tonight with a record of 3-0-1.

With that, here are 10 quick thoughts on tonights game.

1. It was first thought that Freddie Andersen may be starting tonighs game, but recent rumblings claim that it may be backup Anton Khudobin in net to start against the Wild.

If Khudobin is in net tonight, this will be a very big game for him after a bad Duck debut performance against Arizona. Khudobin gave up three goals on eight shots before he was pulled.

2. The question on everyones mind is Shea Theodore or Korbinian Holzer?

The Ducks placed Simon Despres and Clayton Stoner on injured reserve and have recalled Theodore and Holzer. One will be in the lineup tonight while the other sits.

It appears as though tonight may be the NHL debut of Shea Theodore. He may be playing alongside Sami Vatanen on the Ducks third pairing, lets see if the 2015 WHL’s top defensemen can contribute some offense if he is indeed in the lineup.

3. Pat Maroon will likely be starting the game playing on the Ducks top line but he may be on a short leash. If things aren’t clicking, don’t be surprised if Boudreau moves Sekac or Hagelin up alongside Getzlaf and Perry.

4. The Ducks have been outshooting almost all of their opponents to this point but the bounces are not going their way.

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Tonight the Ducks will need to generate more net front presence if they want to beat Devan Dubnyk. To many of the Ducks shots have been coming from the wings and most have not tested the opposing goalies.

Rebounds and screens are the key to beating Dubnyk tonight, not lazy shots from outside the faceoff dots.

5. Hampus Lindholm’s minutes dropped a bit against Colorado but I would expect him to play at least 25 minutes tonight.

With either Theodore or Holzer in the lineup, I think Boudreau will rely heavily on his top guys, specifically Lindholm. Tonight, Hampus will need to be dominant at both ends just as he was against Arizona, a performance that earned him the third star of the game despite the Ducks losing 4-0.

6. Chris Wagner is the latest Duck to be placed on unconditional waivers. This news came yesterday and it seems as though Ducks GM Bob Murray is continuing to try and sneak players through waivers, just as he did already with Max Friberg and Korbinian Holzer.

Wagner did clear waivers and is remaining with the Ducks for now but it is uncertain whether he will play tonight. This is a 50/50 situation right now as Horcoff and Santorelli could also draw back in. Keep an eye on these three as none of them have produced enough to solidify their spot in the lineup.

7. Bruce Boudreau has been receiving a lot of criticism from people about the teams slow start. While there is clearly a problem with the Ducks offense, Boudreau is not to blame.

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He has thrown a multitude of different line combinations out onto the ice and the Ducks have been outshooting and outhitting most of their opponents. There is only so much a coach can do, but if the Ducks don’t start scoring and winning, a change may be necessary and Boudreau’s job may be in jeopardy.

8. The Ducks power play has continued to lack production. Don’t be surprised if Boudreau and Paul Maclean changes things up and move Getzlaf back to the point or even possibly move Lindholm and others up to the first man advantage unit.

9. Ryan Kesler, Andrew Cogliano and Jakob Silfverberg look to playing together again tonight and they should see a lot of Zach Parise’s line.

Parise has gotten off to a hot start and it will be the Ducks ‘checking line’ that starts the efforts to cool him down.

10. These teams have some bad blood from recent years. If you remember last season’s home opener, a scrum at the end of regulation ensued when Ryan Kesler delivered a bone crushing hit.

Corey Perry was also injured against the Wild last season on a massive hip check from Keith Ballard. However, Ballard will not play tonight.

Stay tuned for reactions and recaps from tonights game.

Next: Anaheim Ducks Will Be Fine Despite Slow Start

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