Nov 20, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Brad Richardson (15) and Anaheim Ducks forward Devante Smith-Pelly (12) collide along the boards during the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
The Ducks now get to travel to California and get two nights off before playing another Pacific Division foe in the Arizona Coyotes Sunday. Though the Ducks won all five meetings last season, the Coyotes defeated the Ducks 3-2 in the shootout on November 7th after the Ducks blew a 2-0 first period lead by giving up two goals in 58 seconds. The Coyotes will be finishing up their three game road-trip in Anaheim: they lost 3-1 to the Dallas Stars on Thursday and will play the San Jose Sharks in northern California Saturday before their trip to Anaheim Sunday.
Keith Yandle leads the Coyotes with 12 assists and 14 points, including a whopping ten power-play points (tied for second in the NHL among defensemen behind Vatanen). Mikkel Boedker leads all Coyotes players with seven goals, while stud defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson has been an absolute horse for Arizona, playing a whopping 26:16 per game. However, Ekman-Larsson’s -10 rating is tied for the eighth worst +/- in the NHL. In fact, the Coyotes only have two players who currently have a positive +/- (Rob Klinkhammer at +3 and Tobias Rieder at +5).
Point Streaks, General Notes:
Vatanen has points in two straight games and seven of his last eight (two goals, ten points). Five of those ten points have come at even strength: after scoring his first ten points on the power-play this season, Vatanen has five of his previous seven points at 5-on-5 play.
Anaheim was a top-five faceoff team entering the night, while Vancouver was a bottom-ten team in the circles. Despite that, the Canucks won 53.7% of the faceoffs (36 of 67). Horvat won nine of 14 draws, including five of eight against Kesler. Kesler won 11 of 20 draws, while Bonino, who has struggled in the circle throughout his career, won eight of 13 draws (including four of five against Getzlaf). Getzlaf finished with five wins in 18 faceoff tries.
This was Andersen’s first win since October 31st against the Dallas Stars (0-1-4 in six starts between then and Thursday). This was Andersen’s fifth straight game allowing at least three goals: all three goals were allowed within five shots on goal (Vancouver’s goals came on their 11th, 14th, and 15th shots on goal). Andersen has a 3.62 GAA and .853 SV% in his past five games.