The Anaheim Ducks can match a franchise best seven-game winning streak tonight against the New Jersey Devils. The club already has one seven-game winning streak this season.
The Ducks have looked very good over the last six games, including a solid 5-2 win over the Red Wings on Tuesday night. With a couple of games against weak Metropolitan Division teams, the Ducks have a chance to extend and break their own winning streak record.
Tonight's opponent, the Devils, have won two in a row, but for the most part they have been wildly inconsistent. New Jersey has just one three-game winning streak this season and have never quite been able to turn the corner after a pathetic 0-4-3 start to this season.
This game is big for both teams in a few different ways.
- The Ducks are trying to keep pace with Chicago for the NHL's top spot. The Ducks have 53 points to Chicago's 55.
- The Devils are trying to stay relevant and in the playoff hunt. They are currently 11th in the East but are only two points behind the eighth spot.
- The Ducks are feeling the heat from their 5 freeway foes. The Kings are 8-2-0 in their last 10 and trail Anaheim by only one point in the Pacific Division race.
- The Devils have a tough stretch heading into the Christmas break. They play Anaheim tonight, the Capitals tomorrow night and end with the Hawks on the 23rd. This could make or break New Jersey's season right here.
The Ducks finally caught a break on the injury front. Captain Ryan Getzlaf had to leave the game the other night in Detroit after getting checked hard into the boards. The good news is that Getzlaf is OK and will be in the lineup tonight.
Devils forward and NHL legend, Jaromir Jagr, had this to say about Getzlaf, "For me, Getzlaf is the MVP..."
Jagr is echoing the same sentiment I have had for weeks. The Ducks would not be where they are without the strong play and leadership of Ryan Getzlaf. So for him to be back with nothing more than a few stitches is great news. No, it's REALLY great news!
I know both of these teams very well and I think it will be a great game. No, it's going to be a REALLY great game! Christmas came early for me.
If you are not familiar with the Devils pay close attention to Eric Gelinas, Reid Boucher and Damien Brunner.
-Gelinas is a phenomenal young talent on the blue line. His shot is unlike any the Devils have had in recent year - maybe since Sheldon Souray played in New Jersey. He is deadly on the power play.
Reid Boucher scored his first NHL goal the other night and fans in New Jersey are ecstatic that this former 60-goal scorer (OHL) is playing with the big club. After the goal the crowd erupted into chants of BOU-CHER, BOU-CHER. Must have been a great feeling for the 20-year-old.
Damien Brunner has four goals in four straight games and is finally starting to look like the scorer we thought he was earlier in the season. Look at this goal he scored against Ottawa the other night....
Who cares...New Jersey is next!
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