Anaheim Ducks: Two Keys to Marching Past the Penguins

It’s game two of a six-game road trip to end 2018 and the Anaheim Ducks find themselves entering the Igloo for a tilt with the Pittsburgh Penguins. A win here would extend the Ducks winning streak to four and get the road trip off to a 2-0-0 start.

The Anaheim Ducks are coming off a 2-1 OT win vs the Columbus Blue Jackets. A game in which by many standards was a steal but a win none the less. John Gibson was the main story while newcomer Daniel Sprong supplied both goals for the Ducks.

The rest of the Ducks weren’t necessarily bad but the game was really about Sprong’s timely scoring and Gibson making big save after big save. And Gibson will have to be at his best again tonight with a high powered Penguins team and no safety net as Ryan Miller is on the shelf until February most likely.

Fun Fact: Daniel Sprong returns to Pittsburgh for the first time following the trade and as mentioned is coming off a 2 goal performance in Columbus. Does it carry over against his former team tonight?

Game 35: Anaheim Ducks vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Location: PPG Paints Arena; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Time: 4:00 pm PST

TV: NHL Network

Radio: AM 830

Anaheim Ducks News: 

Anaheim Ducks Injuries: Rickard Rakell (Ankle), Ryan Miller (Sprained MCL), Cam Fowler (Complex Facial Fracture), Corey Perry (Knee), Patrick Eaves (Broken Ribs/Back Spasms)

Pittsburgh Injuries: Patric Hornqvist (upper body), Justin Schultz (left leg fracture) Kris Letang**(Lower Body Injury)

**Letang is a game-time decision

Uncharted Territory for Sid and Co.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been Stanley Cup contenders every year virtually since Sidney Crosby’s arrival in the Steel City. But if you think the Ducks have had some tough sledding ask a Penguins fan. Entering tonight the Penguins are 15-11-6. Not miserable but not up to snuff with what the Penguins usually are. They are in 3rd currently in the Metropolitan Division but a loss tonight coupled with an Islanders win in Colorado would drop them out of a playoff spot.

With that said the usual suspects are scoring for the Penguins. Sidney Crosby, Phill Kessel, and Evegeni Malkin all have 35 points with Jake Guentzl not far behind with 28 points and Kris Letang with 25. Past that no one has more than 19 points and Letang is a game-time decision. This team is extremely top heavy and if the Ducks can keep the top forwards in check there isn’t much behind them.

These guys are too skilled to not get some chances and Gibson will have to stand tall but limiting the big guns for Pittsburgh will go a long way to beating them. This isn’t the Penguins teams of years past where their 3rd and 4th lines are getting it done for them too. Limiting the first line will force a bunch of players who may already be squeezing the stick too tight to squeeze a little more. And in this sport, a nervous and pressing player will never translate to a good player.

Anaheim Ducks Players to Watch: John Gibson and Daniel Sprong

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.