Anaheim Ducks morning news: Olympic announcement, a career milestone, another injury, and a game against the Avs

The Anaheim Ducks had another busy day; this time, all in the lead up to a game in Colorado against the Avalanche. A Ducks defenseman was named to Team USA for the upcoming Winter Olympics, a veteran reached a notable career milestone, another Ducks forward went down with an injury, and the Ducks secured the victory against the aforementioned Avalanche.

Jackson LaCombe named to Team USA

Earlier yesterday, USA hockey announced that LaCombe had made the roster for the upcoming Winter Olympics, to replace an injured Seth Jones. The de facto number one defenseman for the Ducks, LaCombe had his breakout campaign last season with 43 points (14 goals, 29 assists) in 75 games. LaCombe was able to parlay that breakout into an extension with the Ducks, during the offseason.

LaCombe currently leads all Ducks defenseman in points with 31 (6 goals, 25 assists) and leads all Ducks skaters in ice time per game, at 24:26. While there has been much consternation online about the omission of a certain Montreal Canadiens defenseman, LaCombe is the perfect replacement. Jones was never going to be the quarterback of a Team USA powerplay, and neither is LaCombe. Team USA management clearly values LaCombe's ability to play a solid two-way game, which he has done admirably for years, despite the defensive deficiencies of the rebuilding Ducks. The LaCombe and Jacob Trouba pairing have been on the ice for 354+ minutes this season and have controlled 54% of the expected goals. Imagine how good LaCombe will look in the Olympics with a higher quality linemate.

Alex Killorn hits 1,000 games played

Stick taps to Killorn for reaching the 1,000 games played milestone, against the Avalanche. Though Killorn only has 14 points (5 goals, 9 assists) this season, he has been a reliable winger for the Ducks through three seasons. While fans may complain about his cap hit or lack of foot speed, Killorn rarely makes the wrong play and can be inserted onto any forward line, when some of the young Ducks skaters are struggling.

Mason McTavish injured

Prior to the puck dropping against the Avalanche, the Ducks announced that McTavish was a late healthy scratch, due to an upper body injury, and Jansen Harkins would be inserted into the lineup. Already down two of their top scorers, Leo Carlsson and Troy Terry, the absence of McTavish was equally disheartening.

Although Mikael Granlund has filled in admirably for the injured Ducks skaters, his play is not of the same caliber of a Carlsson or McTavish. But out of necessity, Granlund became the number one center.

The Ducks beat the Avs

On top of all that, the Ducks still had to play against the NHL leading Colorado Avalanche. Despite missing Carlsson, Terry, and McTavish, the Ducks secured their fifth win in a row, with Lukas Dostal leading the way.

Dostal made 40 saves on 41 shots, while allowing the only Avalanche goal with 3:38 left in the third period. The Ducks, conversely, won while only putting 17 shots on Scott Wedgewood. Cutter Gauthier notched the victory with his shootout winner.

The Ducks will head out to Seattle next, for a matchup against the Kraken on Friday night. Fingers crossed, for some good injury luck, as Dostal cannot win every game by himself.