The Anaheim Ducks hope to find consistency on the road as their six-game road trip continues.
With John Gibson starting in net opposite of former teammate Frederik Andersen in Toronto on Monday, Jonathan Bernier has been given the opportunity to face his boyhood team, Montreal Canadiens, in the second of a back-to-back against Carey Price.
Montreal will try to even the season series at one apiece after losing to the Ducks in a one-goal affair where they outshot Anaheim 8-0 in the first five minutes a month ago.
Anaheim Ducks
TEAM SCOPE:
With last night’s 3-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Ducks have won five of their last seven games and are 8-3-1 in their past 12 games. Despite their recent success, the Anaheim Ducks struggle on the road is well documented.
They are 7-7-4 away from Honda Center. And as good as the goaltending can be, you can’t win if you do not play good defense in front of your netminder.
Anaheim deposits 2.5 goals per game while giving up 3.16 goals to the opposition on the road as compared to the overall clips of 2.8 goals for and 2.8 goals against.
After being the epicenter of trade talks dating back to last season and this season after the team’s slow start, Cam Fowler has experienced an early season renaissance as he is on pace to set career highs in points.
He has been a key contributor on special teams and is a big reason why Anaheim’s power play is 2nd in the league (25% conversion rate). as he ranks 2nd on the team in power play goals behind Ryan Kesler.
INJURY REPORT:
Kevin Bieksa left the game after taking a puck to the face vs. Toronto. He will be a game time decision.
RC said that Kevin Bieksa has "a not very good-looking swollen-lip right now," but no further damage. He was removed as a precaution.
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) December 20, 2016
Montreal Canadiens:
TEAM SCOPE:
Life is good for the Canadiens and its fans when Carey Price is in net. As we saw last season, Montreal’s flaws were exposed without him in the line-up.
Despite missing 70 games due to an MCL sprain, he picked up where he left off and is posting a 1.90 goals allowed average and and .936 save percentage.
Because of his ability to give his team the chance to win, the absence of Alex Galchenyuk and his scoring production is bearable.
But as we all know, life can’t always be filled with sunshine and rainbows
Montreal looks to snap its 2-game losing streak at home. Failing to convert on the power play has hurt them in those games, going 0-for-8.
When the special team does get going, Shea Weber is behind it but his well has dried up. He has been held pointless for nine consecutive games.
INJURY REPORT:
With Andrei Markov (lower body injury) not playing, Zach Redmond will take his place on the blue line.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
By participating in tonight’s game, Andrew Cogliano can pass Jay Boumeester for 5th most consecutive games played with 738.
Puck drop at the Bell Centre is scheduled for 4:30 pm Pacific Time on Prime Ticket and AM 830 KLAA