The Anaheim Ducks look to regroup at The Pond tonight, after placing two of their key members on injured reserve yesterday, as Steven Stamkos leads the NHL's top scoring team, the Tampa Bay Lightning into town. It will be a tough test for the Anaheim defense who are without star goalie Frederik Andersen and defenseman Sami Vatanen. Additionally, the team's best defenseman, Hampus Lindholm, is nursing an ankle injury and is a game time decision.
Replacing Vatanen and Lindholm in the lineup are Eric Brewer and Josh Manson. Recently recalled Emerson Etem will also play tonight, making Tim Jackman is a healthy scratch. John Gibson is the netminder in what is a pivotal start. His performance tonight will go a long way in deciding weather or not General Manager Bob Murray makes a deadline deal for a backup goalie.
Here is tonight's expected lineup:
Forwards Bourque-Getzlaf-Perry Cogliano-Kesler-Silfverberg Maroon-Rakell-Palmieri Etem-Thompson-DSP
Defensemen Fowler-Lovejoy Beauchemin-Brewer Stoner-Manson
Goalies Gibson Bryzgalov
The Duck power play is deeply affected by the loss of Vatanen and Beleskey. The expected pp units are Bourque, Kesler/Rakell, Perry, Getzlaf and Fowler on the top group and Cogliano, Kesler/Rakell, Palmieri, Beauchemin and Lovejoy.
I'll be back with trade deadline Buy-Stand-Sell by position.
#LGD
-Ed