Before previewing tonight's game, just a little bit about Fridays 4-3 shootout win at Vancouver. The Ducks haven't played a consistent game start to finish in several weeks. At least in this one Anaheim concentrated the majority of their sloppiness to 13 minutes of the second period. Their bookends were pretty good. The bottom line is the Ducks earned two points on the road, which is always a good thing.
Duck players are very aware they have blown more than a few leads recently. Cory Perry told Ducks.com, “We’ve had leads in the last couple of games, and we’ve given them away. It’s not what the other team is doing; it’s what we’re doing. If we sharped up in the d-zone and neutral zone, limit our turnovers and just execute, I think we’re going to be all right.…
Game Day
The Coyotes are not off to a great start this season, but remain a dangerous opponent. “They’re a hard-working team, and we always have some pretty good games against them,… Matt Beleskey said. “But we have to play that full 60-minute game. We’re still working on that. There are a few things we need to tidy up, but I think it’s coming together.…
Newly acquired left wing Rene Bourque may make his Duck debut tonight, but that is still up in the air. William Karlsson was placed on injured reserve with flu-like symptoms and is not eligible to return until Tuesday. Clayton Stoner left practice early yesterday with a minor injury, however he is listed as probable tonight. Goalie Frederik Andersen makes his eight consecutive start. The Ducks should line up with the following:
Forwards Beleskey-Getzlaf-Perry Maroon-Kesler-Palmieri Cogliano-Thompson-Silfverberg Etem/Bourque-Rakell-DSP
Defensemen Beauchemin-Lindholm Fowler-Manson Stoner-Vatanen
Goalie Frederik Andersen Jason LaBarbera