Anaheim Ducks vs. Buffalo Sabres: Game 7 Preview
Anaheim Ducks
5-1-0
1st in Pacific
Oct 19, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman
Sami Vatanen(45) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the St. Louis Blues in the first period during the game at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Last Game
Sunday, Oct. 19 vs. St. Louis Blues
3-0 Win
Leaders
Forwards & Defensemen
Goals: Corey Perry (5)
Assists: Ryan Getzlaf (6)
Points: Ryan Getzlaf (8)
+/-: William Karlsson, Hampus Lindholm (4)
PIM: Ryan Kesler, Clayton Stoner (tied with 9)
Goalies
Wins: Frederik Andersen (5)
GAA: Frederik Andersen (1.38)
SV%: Frederik Andersen (.950)
Breakdown
The Anaheim Ducks are rolling. After a lopsided defeat on opening night to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Ducks have stormed back to win their last five games, which has pole-vaulted the back-to-back division champions to the top of the Pacific.
During the winning streak, Anaheim has found multiple ways to win. Whether it was a game-winner in the final minute (Red Wings), total domination (Sabres), a shootout (Flyers) or a “we got outplayed but still found a way to win” affair (Wild), Bruce Boudreau‘s squad continues to impress. Good teams simply find a way to get the job done and the Ducks are proving that, once again, they’ll be one of the elite teams in the Western Conference this season.
Led by Getzlaf (two goals, six assists) and Corey Perry (five goals, two assists), the Ducks should produce plenty of offense (3.3 GPG, 5th) this season. Frederik Andersen seems to have cemented his place in between the pipes as he had a magnificent start to his 2014-15 campaign. In five starts, the 25-year-old leads the NHL in wins (5) and ranks high in goals against average (1.38) and save percentage (.950). Rookie John Gibson returned to Anaheim earlier this week, but Boudreau will continue to ride the hot glove in Andersen.
Anaheim has won its first two games of the five-game home stand and will face-off against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday.