Give Props
Going into Wednesday's game against the Rangers, the Ducks had a plan. Play hard and take away the big weapons like Nash, Brassard, Staal, Stepan, Yandle, etc. If the rest of them can beat us, so be it. Well Antti Raanta and Kevin Klein were the main men that beat the Ducks. Losing the penalty battle 3-0 and missing an open net or two didn't help, but NYR deserve a tip of the hat for finding a way to win.
Fitting In
Speaking of props, General Manager Bob Murray looks like a genius again for his deadline trading prowess. Jamie McGinn has four points in nine games and has been a huge upgrade on the left side of the second line. Brandon Pirri made his Ducks debut Wednesday. Although their was a little bit of rust to his game, he looked like a good fit alongside Ryan Getzlaf.
Still Hurting
Sami Vatanen will miss his fourth straight game with a chin injury. Nate Thompson is still out with an LBI. Chris Stewart (broken jaw) is getting better, but is still not ready to play. Kevin Bieksa returns tonight from his LBI
Boston @ Ducks
Today's opponent at the Honda Center is the Boston Bruins. Coach Bruce Boudreau is ready for the opponent to bring their A game. He told Ducks.com, “I have to believe they’re going to come out, like the Rangers did, and play as good a game as they can possibly play.…
On offense, the Ducks will keep the same group that faced the Rangers. There will be one change on defense as Kevin Bieksa returns to the lineup and supplants Korbinian Holzer. Frederik Andersen returns to the net as tonight's starter. Here is the team Anaheim will put on the ice:
Forward Perron-Getzlaf-Pirri McGinn-Rakell-Perry Cogliano-Kesler-Silfverberg Ritchie-Horcoff-Garbutt
Defensemen Fowler-Bieksa Lindholm-Manson Stoner-Despres
Goalies Andersen Gibson