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Ducks Game Night: The Drive for Home Ice Advantage

By Ed Stein |
ANAHEIM, CA - FEBRUARY 21: Anaheim Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm (47) skates back towards the bench with his line after Lindholm scored a goal in the first period of a game against the Dallas Stars played on February 21, 2018 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - FEBRUARY 21: Anaheim Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm (47) skates back towards the bench with his line after Lindholm scored a goal in the first period of a game against the Dallas Stars played on February 21, 2018 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Anaheim Ducks host Dallas at the Honda Center tonight. Already assured of a playoff spot, the Ducks want to improve their position in the standings.

What’s at Stake

The Anaheim Ducks clinched a playoff spot Wednesday night when they beat Minnesota 3-1. At this point, they will finish either second or third in the Pacific Division, or, at worst, win the Western Conference first wild-card slot. Make no mistake, the Ducks prefer the first option.

“There’s an opportunity for home ice, I think it makes a difference with our team and how we play at home.” – Andrew Cogliano to the OC Register

Yes, it does make a difference. The Ducks have gone 13-1-2 in their last 16 home games, and are 25-10-5, this season at the Honda Center.

News & Notes

More from Pucks of a Feather

  • To make it official, the Ducks announced that Patrick Eaves (Guillon-Barre Syndrome) will not return this season.
  • Ondrej Kase‘s goal Wednesday made him the second player to score 20 goals in a Ducks uniform this season (Adam Henrique has 19 with Anaheim and four with NJ).
  • As mentioned by Puck Prose yesterday, Rickard Rakell will be the first Anaheim Ducks player not named Getzlaf, Perry, or Teemu to lead the team in points since Sergei Fedorov in 2003-04.
  • The Ducks have lost one home game in regulation since January 23 (15-1-2)
  • The Ducks qualified for their 11th post-season since 2005-06. Only Pittsburgh (13) and San Jose (12) have more.

Dallas @ Ducks

Dallas comes into the Honda Center tonight with nothing to play for, bur pride. They will miss the playoffs for the second straight year. Earlier than expected golf reservations didn’t stop them from beating San Jose 4-2 on Tuesday. Mike McKenna, a 35-year-old journeyman, will make his 24th NHL appearance and second consecutive start for the visitors.

With so much at stake for the Ducks, Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle told Eric Stephens of the OC Register yesterday that his best players will play against Dallas. “I think right now the way the situation presents itself today, we are preparing to play our best lineup. Bottom line.

Now does that change tomorrow? I don’t think so. But does it change Saturday morning? We’ll have to see Saturday morning. This is day to day. We’re going to take every opportunity to give ourselves the best chance.”

Any notion Anaheim Ducks fans had of seeing John Gibson back in goal tonight has gone by the wayside. He hasn’t practiced with the team since his injury. That leaves Ryan Miller to once again fill in for the injured Gibson. Reto Berra is the backup. Here is tonight’s expected lineup:

Next: Where are they now? The Cosmonaut, Ilya Bryzgalov

Forwards

Rakell-Getzlaf-Perry

Cogliano-Kesler-Silfverberg

Ritchie-Henrique-Kase

Brown/Kelly-Grant-Chimera

Defensemen

Lindholm-Manson

Montour-Beauchemin

Welinski-Pettersson

Goalies

Miller

Berra

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