Ducks Stampede Buffalo

The Ducks offense showed up Wednesday night in Buffalo. In particular, Corey Perry came out of his scoring coma to get two behind Sabres goalie Robin Lehner and even added a helper. Anaheim's five goal output is only the second time they scored that many in the last two months. One of the biggest reasons for the offense “explosion” was coach Randy Carlyle's line shakeup.

Perry looked very comfortable with Rickard Rakell as his pivot and Nick Ritchie on the opposite wing. All three top lines looked like they had a little more pep than they had shown recently. It was a welcome change. I might suggest one tweak or two. It seems like a waste to have Ryan Kesler on the third line, considering the season he's been having. Why not put him on Rakell's line and take advantage of his faceoff prowess. If not, swap Vermette and Ritchie, so the faceoff ace can take draws for Rakell.

Ducks @ Washington

Welcome to the Boudreau Bowl 2017. The Ducks look to continue their positive momentum against the top team in the league. Shuffling the lines seemed to catch Buffalo a bit off guard, but today the competition is much better. It will be a good test of what Anaheim can do against a top-notch opponent.

Sami Vatanen was a limited participant in practice yesterday. The defenseman will sit out again due to his LBI (ie knee), but he is getting healthier. Brandon Montour will more than likely take his place. The new forward lines worked out well in the last out, so they will for the most part be the same today. John Gibson should start in the Ducks goal. Here is the expected lineup:

Forwards
Vermette-Getzlaf-Silfverberg
Ritchie-Rakell-Perry
Cogliano-Kesler-Shaw
Kase-Thomson-Boll/Cramarosa

Defensemen
Fowler-Montour
Lindholm-Manson
Theodore-Bieksa

Goalies
Gibson
Bernier

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