Game Night: Vancouver @ Ducks, Time for a Cool Change
By Ed Stein
Tonight the Anaheim Ducks seek to end their three-game losing streak as they host Vancouver at the Honda Center.
Three Down the Drain
I’d like to say the Ducks suffered a heartbreaking loss to St. Louis on Monday night. The problem is that the only thing that broke anyone’s heart is that they lost because Anaheim looked outgunned from the get-go. Robert Bortuzzo’s opening goal at 17:33 of the first period was one that even Stephane Robidas couldn’t miss. It went downhill from there for the Ducks. They have now lost three straight games and fallen out of a playoff spot.
3 + 23 = 0 Chance
For some reason Ducks Coach, Randy Carlyle decided to play both Kevin Bieksa and Francois Beauchemin Monday. It didn’t work when he tried it last Thursday and the move bombed again. I have nothing but respect for both of these guys, but Father Time has taken away valuable speed from their talent pool. Unless Marcus Pettersson has some unmentioned injury, he has to be in the lineup every night and one of Bieksa or Beauchemin has to sit.
News and Notes
- Ryan Getzlaf extended his point streak to six games (2g and 11a).
- Adam Henrique played in his 500th NHL game.
- Brandon Montour now has 20 assists, joining Cam Fowler and Josh Manson in the 20+ club this season.
- After an amazing stretch, goalie John Gibson has allowed four goals in each of his previous two starts.
Vancouver @ Ducks
Tonight the Ducks host Vancouver at the Honda Center. I hate the term “must win”, but the Ducks certainly can’t afford to lose this game. Anaheim must score more, but at the very least need to keep the puck in the offensive zone much more than they have over the previous week. Additionally, if the Ducks have secondary scoring somewhere, it needs to show up ASAP. Rickard Rakell, Corey Perry, and Getzlaf can’t carry the entire offensive load. John Gibson was the first goalie off the ice in practice which means he is the starter. There probably won’t be any substantial lineup changes other than Pettersson coming back in. The Ducks will put the following team on the ice:
Forwards
Rakell-Getzlaf-Perry
Cogliano-Kesler-Silfverberg
Ritchie-Henrique-Kase
Kelly-Grant-Chimera/Brown
Defense
Fowler-Montour
Lindholm-Manson
Bieksa/Beauchemin-Pettersson
Goalies
Gibson
Miller