Nov 18, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Anaheim Ducks left wing Matt Beleskey (39) celebrates his goal with teammates against the Calgary Flames during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Next up for the Ducks is another tilt with Vancouver, this time in British Columbia. The teams met on November 9th, with former Duck Nick Bonino netting the shootout winner to give the Canucks a 2-1 victory over the Ducks in Honda Center. This will be Kesler’s first game back in Vancouver since the June 27th trade that sent Kesler to the Ducks. The Canucks last played Friday, losing 5-0 to the Arizona Coyotes at home. The Canucks will make a quick trip to Alberta to face the Oilers on Wednesday before returning to Vancouver to welcome the Ducks Thursday.
Henrik Sedin leads the Canucks with 17 points and is tied with his brother Daniel Sedin for the team lead in assists, with 12. Bonino leads the Canucks with seven goals, including three game-winners. Alexander Edler leads the team in total ice time and ice time per game, playing 23:32 per contest. Edler also leads all Canucks defensemen in goals (four) and points (nine), while Dan Hamhuis leads Vancouver defensemen in assists (six). Ryan Miller is 11-3-0 since signing with Vancouver in the offseason, posting a 2.65 GAA and .902 SV%. However, Miller has received 3.73 goals of support per game in his 11 wins. Miller has struggled lately, allowing 12 goals on 69 shots over 164 minutes in his past three games (1-2-0, 4.39 GAA, .826 SV%).
Point Streaks, General Notes:
Vatanen has points in six of his past seven games, scoring two goals and seven assists in that frame. Vatanen’s 16 points tie him for third among all NHL defensemen with Kevin Shattenkirk of the St. Louis Blues and T.J. Brodie of the Calgary Flames. Five of those nine points have come on the power-play.
The Ducks really controlled the faceoff circle. The Flames were 29th in faceoff win percentage entering the night. Ryan Getzlaf won nine of 18 draws, while Kesler won 17 of 26. Outside of Monahan (17 for 31) and Byron (who won his only draw), the other three Flames’ centermen went 12 for 37 in the circle (32.4%).
Andersen has lost five decisions in a row and six of his previous seven. After not taking an overtime loss in any of his first 33 decisions, Andersen has lost in overtime in four of his past five starts. He has gone 0-1-4 in his previous six starts with a 2.91 GAA and .887 SV%.