The Ducks looked sharp Monday night as they beat the Boston Bruins 2-1 in regulation. That's the good news. The bad news is that newly acquired defenseman Eric Brewer broke his foot. This latest blow to Anaheim's blue line group will last four to six weeks.
Center Rickard Rakell was sent to Norfolk. Hopefully, he is the kind of guy that takes his demotion as an opportunity to work on his game. Rakell does have skills, but they are borderline NHL ready. He will be back.
A familiar face is back working out with the Ducks. Ilya Bryzgalov is on a “tryout… with the team. The 34 year old netminder began his NHL career in Anaheim, but was behind JS Giguere and Martin Gerber on the depth chart. He has played for several NHL clubs, most recently the Minnesota Wild. Last season with the Wild, Bryzgalov went 7-1, 2.12 GAA and .911 SV%. His playoff performance was not as good. In nine appearances his numbers were 3-6, 2.63, .885.
The reason Bryzgalov is with the Ducks is because the Ducks are down to their number four goalie as the backup to starter Frederik Andersen. Jason LaBarbera, who was brought up to replace an injured John Gibson, will miss two to three weeks with broken bone in his hand.
Tonight's opponent is the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers enter the contest zero for their last eight road games. It might be a break for the Ducks, but it doesn't mean they can be sloppy. Clayton Stoner is back from his bout with the mumps and will play tonight. The expected lineup is as follows:
Forwards Beleskey-Getzlaf-Perry Bourque-Kesler-Palmieri Cogliano-DSP-Silfverberg Maroon-Thompson-Jackman
Defensemen Fowler-Manson Lindholm-Clark Stoner-Vatanen
Goalies Andersen Bobkov
-Ed