The Anaheim Ducks are back in action on Sunday, looking to snap a two-game skid with their third game of a four game homestand. Although the Ducks have earned points in each of their previous two games, the team failed to get wins because of not playing for a full game. The Ducks were unable to overcome a poor start on Wednesday, falling 3-2 to the New York Islanders in overtime, and then failed to close out the Arizona Coyotes Friday, blowing a 2-0 lead and losing 3-2 in the shootout. This time, the Vancouver Canucks visit Anaheim to close out their own four-game road trip. This is the Ducks’ second game in a stretch of four consecutive Pacific Division opponents. Vancouver is right behind Anaheim in the standings, with 20 points. They are 3rd in the Western Conference and 5th in the NHL with 47 goals scored.
The Ducks’ forward lines should mostly be intact from Friday’s bout. Anaheim received a major boost from an experimental second line of Matt Beleskey, Ryan Kesler, and Jakob Silfverberg, who played incredibly well with one another. That line should be given another go for Anaheim. This is Kesler’s first game against Vancouver after being traded to Anaheim on June 27th. Kesler was drafted 23rd overall in 2003 by Vancouver and spent his entire career with the Canucks until June, winning the Selke Trophy in 2011 and making the Stanley Cup Finals with the team in 2011. Corey Perry has been moved to the Injured Reserve after missing the past two games flu-like symptoms. Perry was put on the Injured Reserve retroactive to Wednesday, so he will be eligible to return on Wednesday against the Kings. Dany Heatley has been a healthy scratch recently, but he may draw in for Rickard Rakell. Kyle Palmieri is closer to returning, with the winger saying he is about a week from being able to play again.
According to Eric Stephens of the Orange Country Register, here are the expected lineups for both teams tonight.
Anaheim Ducks Forward Lines:
Patrick Maroon – Ryan Getzlaf – Devante Smith-Pelly
Beleskey – Kesler – Silfverberg
Emerson Etem – William Karlsson – Andrew Cogliano
Rakell – Nate Thompson – Tim Jackman
On the Ducks defense, Francois Beauchemin has been unable to practice the past couple of days. The veteran has been battling flu-like symptoms, as has Perry, and was questionable for Friday’s game. If Beauchemin is unable to go, Josh Manson will draw in for Anaheim. The Ducks have also recalled Mat Clark and Shea Theodore from AHL Norfolk, but Theodore was called up so that he could be sent directly to the WHL. Clark, meanwhile, will take Perry’s roster spot. Bryan Allen made his season debut Friday after returning from a hamstring ailment that had sidelined him for the entire season up to that point. Cam Fowler, who suffered a lower-body injury on Friday, skated and has a strong chance of playing for the Ducks. If Fowler does not go, Clark will draw in to the lineup.
Anaheim Ducks Defense Pairings:
Fowler – Clayton Stoner
Hampus Lindholm – Manson
Allen – Sami Vatanen
For the Vancouver Canucks, they will be playing their second game of a back-to-back after getting shelled in a 5-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. The Sedin twins have returned to their place as one of the NHL’s elite duos, with Henrik Sedin leading the team with 15 points. Daniel Sedin has 14 points and a team-high 11 assists, while free-agent acquisition Radim Vrbata has six goals and 13 points while skating on the top line with the Sedins. This will be the first game back in Anaheim for Nick Bonino, who was sent to Vancouver as part of the Kesler package. After scoring a career-high 22 goals for Anaheim last season, Bonino already leads the Canucks with seven goals, including three game-winning-goals.
Vancouver Canucks Forward Lines:
Sedin – Sedin – Vrbata
Chris Higgins – Bonino – Alexandre Burrows
Bo Horvat – Shawn Matthias – Brad Richardson
Nicklas Jensen – Linden Vey – Jannik Hansen
On the Canucks’ blue-line, Alexander Edler leads all Canucks’ defensemen with three goals and seven points. He also leads the Canucks in ice time, playing 23:06 per game. Luca Sbisa also makes his return to Anaheim after being traded to Vancouver in the Kesler package. Sbisa was originally acquired by Anaheim in the deal that sent Chris Pronger to the Philadelphia Flyers. Dan Hamhuis, who won a gold medal with Team Canada in Sochi, leads the Canucks in 5-on-5 ice time and has four assists, tied for the most among Canucks’ defensemen.
Vancouver Canucks Defense Pairings:
Edler – Christopher Tanev
Ryan Stanton – Kevin Bieksa
Hamhuis – Sbisa
In net, Frederik Andersen (7-1-1, 1.63 GAA, .939 SV%) should get the nod once again for the Ducks after stopping 23 of 25 shots against the Coyotes. Friday’s shootout loss was the first overtime or shootout loss Andersen has taken in his career. Opposing Andersen should be Eddie Lack (0-3-0, 4.09 GAA, .881 SV%) after Ryan Miller (10-2-0, 2.42 GAA, .913 SV%) got the start on Saturday. However, Miller was pulled after the second period after allowing four goals on 21 shots to the Kings, so it is possible for Miller to get the start.
Jason Byun is the editor for Pucks of a Feather. He can be found on Twitter. For more Anaheim Ducks coverage, follow Pucks of a Feather on Twitter or like us on Facebook.