The Anaheim Ducks continue their three game homestand with a rematch against the Calgary Flames. These two teams met last Tuesday, with the Flames overcoming a 2-0 deficit after 40 minutes before winning 4-3 in the shootout. The Flames have continued to surprise many people throughout the season: they are one of three teams in the NHL to have scored at least 70 goals (with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Tampa Bay Lightning). They are currently third in the Pacific Division, sitting two points ahead of the Los Angeles Kings, and they sport a terrific 13-7-2 record through 22 games.
For the Ducks, the biggest news is that Devante Smith-Pelly will play center for the Ducks, as Rickard Rakell will sit and Tim Jackman will enter the lineup in his place. Rakell had played the last five consecutive games, going pointless and not playing more than 13:14 in any single contest. William Karlsson, who was competing with Rakell for the last center position for the Ducks, was re-assigned to AHL Norfolk with Emerson Etem in order to get some playing time as he recovers from a bout with the stomach flu. Smith-Pelly will center Jackman and newly acquired Rene Bourque. Patrick Maroon finally scored his first goal of the season on Sunday, potting a rebound while playing on the second line. Corey Perry has been quiet since returning from being out with the mumps, scoring just one assist and posting a -5 rating in four games.
According to Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register, here are the expected lineups for both teams tonight.
Anaheim Ducks Forward Lines:
Matt Beleskey – Ryan Getzlaf – Perry
Maroon – Ryan Kesler – Kyle Palmieri
Andrew Cogliano – Nate Thompson – Jakob Silfverberg
Bourque – Smith-Pelly – Jackman
For the Ducks’ defense, Clayton Stoner returned to practice with the team after suffering from mumps-like symptoms Sunday and sitting out. It is possible he draws in Friday against Chicago or Saturday in San Jose, but he most likely sits tonight. Josh Manson will again play with Cam Fowler on the top four. The rookie has played ten games, averaging 18:59 per game with a +1 rating. Hampus Lindholm leads the club in +/-, with a strong +8 rating, and his 22:32 of ice time per game is second on the team to Francois Beauchemin.
Anaheim Ducks Defense Pairings:
Beauchemin – Sami Vatanen
Fowler – Manson
Lindholm – Mat Clark
For the Calgary Flames, they are coming off a tremendous comeback win, capping off a five game homestand with a 5-4 shootout win over the New Jersey Devils, coming back from a two-goal deficit with three minutes left. Sean Monahan is tied for the team lead in goals, with eight, while Johnny Gaudreau leads all forwards with 12 assists. Jiri Hudler is second on the team and tops among Flames forwards in points, with 17.
Calgary Flames Forward Lines:
Curtis Glencross – Monahan – Lance Bouma
Gaudreau – Markus Granlund – Hudler
Michael Ferland – Josh Jooris – Paul Byron
Brandon Bollig – Corban Knight – Sven Baertschi
On the Flames’ defense, they are led by one of the top offensive duos in the game, with Mark Giordano and T.J. Brodie. Giordano leads all NHL defensemen in scoring, with 23 points in 22 games (tied for eighth in the league), and he has established himself as an early Norris Trophy candidate. Brodie has been equally strong, with 16 points of his own. Dennis Wideman is tied with Monahan for the team’s goal-scoring lead, with eight. Wideman scored two goals in the third period against Anaheim last Tuesday, tying the game and then giving the Flames a 3-2 lead in the third period.
Calgary Flames Defense Pairings:
Giordano – Brodie
Kris Russell – Wideman
Ladislav Smid – Deryk Engelland
In net, Frederik Andersen (9-2-4, 2.10 GAA, .921 SV%) makes his ninth consecutive start for the Ducks. Andersen had a terrific outing Sunday, allowing just one goal on 27 shots in helping the Ducks win their first game in regulation in three weeks. Opposing Andersen will be Jonas Hiller (9-5-1, 2.45 GAA, .914 SV%), who will make his first start back in Anaheim since leaving the Ducks this past offseason. Hiller won 174 regular season and postseason contests for the Ducks over seven seasons.
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.