Ducks vs Canucks: Betting Odds, Three Keys, Spontaneous Combustion

Back on the road, the Anaheim Ducks are hoping to bounce back from their 6-0 loss against Calgary with a two-game road trip against Division rivals, starting in Vancouver.

Something seemed off with the Anaheim Ducks throughout their 6-0 loss against the Calgary Flames. The team had plenty of opportunities, recording their second-highest SOG total of the season (44.) A hot Cam Talbot didn’t help their case, but the team broke down and couldn’t figure it out before the night ended.

Allowing 4 goals in the first period alone, John Gibson is now on the verge of slipping below a sub .900% save percentage. The back of the net seems to elude the Anaheim Ducks most nights, but it is their lack of defensive structure that has been their Achilles heel. However, Head Coach, Dallas Eakins, seems to believe that a good kick in the pants is what his team needs to get back on track.

“We learn from these,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said. “As much as you want to keep point streaks going, I think a kick in the rear end is good for you every once and a while.”

Whether a blow out like the one suffered at the hands of the Flames was necessary to knock some sense into an Anaheim Ducks team that is barely holding on or not, a strong showing in Vancouver would not only be good for morale but a confidence boost for a team that was beginning to show signs of life until Calgary’s fire reduced them to a cold pile of coals.

Something, or someone, needs to spark spontaneous combustion within the Anaheim Ducks if they want to have some semblance of success on this two-game road trip. Vancouver, set to make their first playoff appearance in four years, won’t back off easily. Nevertheless, even the Vancouver Canucks aren’t invincible with their crafty Swedish sweetheart and slick Calder contending defenseman.

What You Need to Know Before Puck Drop

Game 58: Anaheim Ducks vs Vancouver Canucks

Season Record: 23-27-7
Location: Rogers Arena— Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Time: 2:00pm PST

TV: Prime Ticket

Radio: AM830
Tickets: If you’re in beautiful British Columbia this weekend, while it’s one of the more expensive games this season, our friends from StubHub can hook you up with tickets to the game for as low as $88(CA.)

Anaheim Ducks News: Nicolas Deslauriers has been signed to a 2-year contract extension.

Anaheim Ducks Betting Odds & Lines

Anaheim Ducks: +160
Vancouver Canucks: -185

With the helpful information from our friends at the Action Network, they have confirmed what we likely already knew: the Vancouver Canucks are the favorites on the Moneyline for this afternoon’s contest. In every facet of the game, the Canucks are the stronger team. While the Ducks pack more of a physical punch than their rivals of the Pacific North West, the 16 points that separate the two teams should speak for itself.

The Canucks are currently riding the high from a 3-0 shutout against the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday following the retirement of the Sedin twins jerseys. With the spirit of Hank and Danny still burning bright in their hearts, it seems like an easy win for Vancouver.

However, while a 6-0 loss is the least encouraging way to start a road trip, the Anaheim Ducks have shown tenacity and determination after losses like this before. Granted, they are the underdogs and have been for most of the season, but they have surprised a lot of us and come out swinging in games they had no right to win.

Three Keys to the Game

While we are a mixed bag of fans, some already accepting defeat and others hoping for redemption, whether the Anaheim Ducks win or lose, we want to see them compete no matter what. These three keys won’t guarantee victory, but they will certainly aid the team in avoiding what could potentially be another embarrassing loss.

1.) Give Your Goalie a Break: Whether it is decided that Gibson or Miller start in tonight’s contest, one this is clear. The Anaheim Ducks goaltenders need to give their goaltender a break. The running joke right now seems to be that Anaheim doesn’t know how to play defense. Whether that’s a disconnect between the players or a tactic Dallas Eakins is implementing, it needs to stop. The Ducks need to be sharp and protect the puck, it doesn’t matter what end of the ice they’re on.

Turnovers, breakaways, and essentially being manhandled by the other team is no way to win it. Granted, mistakes happen. Nevertheless, they just put you several steps behind, and when the Ducks make an effort to catch up, it’s not a pretty sight. They need to have a strong presence in front of the net tonight, especially with players like Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller, and Bo Horvat bringing an offensive dynamic to the ice that makes Anaheim’s entire forward core look lethargic.

On any given night, Gibson and Miller shouldn’t be the only two playing defense. They need their entire team, not just the blueline, to step up and play a responsible game, together. Should they revert to their old ways, Gibby and Miller will continue to break down and our once-great goaltending tandem will be a shadow of what it once was. Carrying a team on your back isn’t easy, and the cracks have been showing for quite some time.

More from Ducks News

2.) The Puck Goes in the Net: Duh… This should be a given, but apparently, the Ducks didn’t get the memo on Thursday night, and the memo has certainly slipped their mind at other points of the season. It’s simple, however. There’s no way to win a game if you can’t score goals. There are few finishers on the Anaheim Ducks roster, but they can score. We’ve seen it.

The Vancouver Canucks have shown cracks in their defensive system as well, often leaving Jacob Markstrom in a vulnerable position, much like Gibson and Miller. If the Ducks can figure out how to expose the ineptitudes in Vancouver’s defense, solve the Markstrom riddle, and finish, they may be able to get the ketchup flowing again.

3.) Let’s Get Physical: As previously mentioned, the Canucks outshine the Ducks in almost every facet of the game. However, what the Ducks lack in skill, they can certainly make up for some of it in physicality. The Canucks have struggled at various points of the season against teams who pack a more physical punch. Granted, they’ve wormed their way out of that hole with their starstudded offensive talent. Nevertheless, if the Ducks can force VAN to take a majority of their shots from far out, if Gibson stays true to his “goalie Jesus” ways, it could potentially limit the Canuck’s ability to create high danger chances and score on a defensively destitute Anaheim Ducks team.

Anaheim Ducks Projected Lineup

The Anaheim Ducks projected lineup has been provided by NHL.com and is subject to change prior to puck drop:

Rickard Rakell–Ryan Getzlaf–Devin ShoreMax Jones–Sam Steel–Jakob SilfverbergNick Ritchie–Adam Henrique–Troy TerryNicolas Deslauriers-Derek Grant–Carter RowneyHampus Lindholm–Josh MansonCam Fowler–Michael Del ZottoJacob Larsson–Korbinian HolzerStarting Goaltender: John GibsonBackup Goaltender: Ryan MillerHealthy Scratches: Brendan GuhleInjured: Ondrej Kase (illness), Erik Gudbranson (upper body)

Vancouver Canucks Projected Lineup

The Vancouver Canucks projected lineup has been provided by NHL.com and is subject to change prior to puck drop:

J.T. Miller-Bo Horvat-Zack MacEwenTanner Pearson-Elias Pettersson-Jake VirtanenAntoine Roussel–Adam Gaudette–Brandon SutterJustin Bailey–Jay Beagle–Loui ErikssonQuinn Hughes-Christopher TanevAlexander Edler–Troy StecherJordie Benn–Tyler MyersStarting Goaltender: Jacob MarkstromBackup Goaltender: Thatcher DemkoHealthy Scratches: Guillaume Brisebois, Tim SchallerInjured: Brock Boeser (upper body), Oscar Fantenberg (concussion), Tyler Motte (upper body), Josh Leivo (kneecap), Micheal Ferland (concussion symptoms), Tyler Graovac (lower body)

Next. Ducks Sign Nicolas Deslauriers to a 2-Year Contract Extension. dark

Are you an Anaheim Ducks fanatic that would enjoy writing for Pucks of a Feather? If so, just follow the link above for information on how you can join us!

Home / Ducks News