What Will the Upcoming Road Trip Hold For the Anaheim Ducks?

Jan 4, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) moves the puck defended by Nashville Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm (back) and Nashville Predators left wing Eric Nystrom (left) during the third period at Honda Center. The Anaheim Ducks won in a shootout with a score of 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Starting in Nashville

Before the trip even began it somehow found a way to get more difficult. The Nashville Predators announced that the league’s best goalie to this point, Pekka Rinne, has been cleared to return to the crease. Rinne will be in between the pipes on Thursday night for a key matchup against the Ducks. This will create a marquee matchup between two possible Hart Trophy candidates in Rinne and Ryan Getzlaf.

The first meeting for these teams came back in January, where Ryan Kesler sealed the deal in the shootout to give the Ducks a 4-3 victory. That win, however, came against Carter Hutton in a game where the Predators were also without James Neal.  Nashville sits atop the NHL alongside the Ducks with 72 points (but are ahead because they have played one fewer game). The Predators are led in scoring by rookie sensation Filip Forsberg, who leads Nashville in goals (17) and points (45). Thursday will be a key matchup for both teams in a battle for the top spot in the West. The Ducks will want to come out firing and earn a big two points in the road trip opener.

Next: Game 2: Washington