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Anaheim Ducks: Two Keys to Marching Past the Penguins

By Chris Bushell

ANAHEIM, CA - JANUARY 17: John Gibson #36 of the Anaheim Ducks makes a save with help from Hampus Lindholm #47 during the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 17, 2018 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - JANUARY 17: John Gibson #36 of the Anaheim Ducks makes a save with help from Hampus Lindholm #47 during the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 17, 2018 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Anaheim Ducks Players to Watch: John Gibson and Daniel Sprong

COLUMBUS, OH – DECEMBER 15: Daniel Sprong #11 of the Anaheim Ducks reacts after scoring the game-winning overtime goal during a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 15, 2018, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – DECEMBER 15: Daniel Sprong #11 of the Anaheim Ducks reacts after scoring the game-winning overtime goal during a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 15, 2018, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Is it fair to highlight the stars of the last game as the players to watch this game? Maybe not but its true all the same. John Gibson returns to his hometown after stealing the Ducks a win in Columbus. His family and friends will no doubt be present adding an extra element to this game and as mentioned above with the injury to Ryan Miller Gibson will be the man in net for virtually every game.

Yes, the Ducks claimed Chad Johnson but he is a fringe NHL back-up at best and there shouldn’t be much confidence having him in net. Especially with the volume of shots, the Ducks allow. Gibson will need to stand tall to the level of or perhaps higher than he did in Columbus again tonight.

Daniel Sprong had some veiled shots thrown at him following his trade from Pittsburgh just a couple weeks ago. He has taken those and run with them as he already has 3 goals in just five games for the Ducks. And if you don’t think he is coming back with something to prove tonight look out now. Sprong will be shooting early and often and looking to prove Penguins management fools for trading him away. He seems to have gained some chemistry with the likes of Adam Henrique who knows a thing or two about the Penguins and look for Sprong to have another great game tonight.

Pittsburgh Penguins Player to Watch: Phil Kessel

Phil Kessel is coming off the OT game winner vs the Kings and has had great success against the Ducks. Kessel is everything the Ducks struggle to defend against; fast, shifty, shoot from anywhere small forwards. Kessel, as mentioned above, has 35 points on the season with a 14-21-35 line. 13 of those 35 points have come with the man advantage too which the Ducks like to allow others teams to practice far too often.

Keeping Kessel in check is easier said than done but playing him physical and not giving him time and space is the way to do it. The Ducks have a habit of watching players like Kessel as opposed to putting pressure on him. Kessel isn’t a physical player and playing him hard is the way to neutralize him.

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