Sports Network) - The Anaheim Ducks have looked like a much better team as of late. They'll need to keep playing at that level tonight as they take on one of the top teams in the NHL, the Vancouver Canucks.
Vancouver hasn't been making a habit of losing. The Canucks notched a 3-2 road win over the Blues in overtime on Thursday for their fourth victory in five games.
Alexandre Burrows scored twice in regulation and Daniel Sedin scored on the power play 46 seconds into overtime. He took a feed from twin brother Henrik against a shorthanded Blues unit that also had a defender without a stick and converted it into his 700th career point.
"It's not easy to get the job done on the road sometimes, but we seem to find ways to win," said goaltender Roberto Luongo following a 31-save performance in the finale of a four-game road trip.
Henrik Sedin had two assists and leads the NHL with both 41 helpers and 52 points.
The Canuck will welcome winger David Booth to the lineup after missing 18 games with a knee injury. With the addition of Booth, the Canucks have all top nine forwards healthy for the first time this season.
Vancouver will play each of its next six games at home and is 12-5-2 as the host this year. It currently trails the Rangers for the most points in the NHL by one and is a point up on the Blues and Blackhawks for the lead in the West.
The Canucks and Ducks are meeting for the first time this season in Vancouver after splitting a pair of contests in Anaheim. The Canucks are 5-2-1 in their last eight at home versus the Ducks.
The Anaheim Ducks have looked like a much better team as of late. They'll need to keep playing at that level tonight as they take on one of the top teams in the NHL, the Vancouver Canucks.
The Ducks are coming off a 5-0 win over the Oilers on Friday, with Jonas Hiller making 33 saves for his second shutout of the season and 13th of his career. Corey Perry paced the offense by scoring twice.
Bobby Ryan, Teemu Selanne and Jason Blake all had a goal and Ryan Getzlaf posted four helpers for the Ducks, who have won four of five and improved to 7-9-3 since head coach Bruce Boudreau took over in late November.
Anaheim, though, still ranks 14th out of 15 teams in the West with 35 points, one back of Edmonton.
"Right now we're just taking it game by game and that's all you can do," said Blake. "We can't get back into the hunt if we don't win hockey games, so that is what we have to focus on doing."
GDT: Canucks vs Ducks (8pm - Saskie time!)
Moderator: Referees
- Madcombinepilot
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GDT: Canucks vs Ducks (8pm - Saskie time!)
The 'Chain of Command' is the chain I am going to beat you with until you understand I am in charge.
Re: GDT: Canucks vs Ducks (8pm - Saskie time!)
Good call on the Central time in the GDT, MCP - maybe we should make that the standard.
Looking for a good game tonight, they should be rested up enough to take the Ducks out. Should we start a pool to see which period(s) they take off, though?
Looking for a good game tonight, they should be rested up enough to take the Ducks out. Should we start a pool to see which period(s) they take off, though?
Doc: "BTW, Donny was right, you're smug."
Re: GDT: Canucks vs Ducks (8pm - Saskie time!)
Dan-Hank-Burrows
Higgins-Kesler-Booth
Raymond-Hodgson-Hansen
Malhotra-Lapierre-Weise
Hamhuis-Bieksa
Edler-Rome
Ballard-Sulzer
(per Murphy)
Higgins-Kesler-Booth
Raymond-Hodgson-Hansen
Malhotra-Lapierre-Weise
Hamhuis-Bieksa
Edler-Rome
Ballard-Sulzer
(per Murphy)
- BladesofSteel
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Re: GDT: Canucks vs Ducks (8pm - Saskie time!)
^^^Booths return could be just what Higgins and Raymond need to boost their play. Both have been struggling of late.
Ballard slots back in at Alberts' expense. I'd like to see Ballard play his more comfortable left side and have Sulzer man the right.
Ballard slots back in at Alberts' expense. I'd like to see Ballard play his more comfortable left side and have Sulzer man the right.
- BladesofSteel
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Re: GDT: Canucks vs Ducks (8pm - Saskie time!)
Duco returned to Chicago as per Wolves.
Gillis & co. in full Optimum-Cap-Management mode now.
Gillis & co. in full Optimum-Cap-Management mode now.
Re: GDT: Canucks vs Ducks (8pm - Saskie time!)
It might take a few games for Booth to find his legs again. I like the look of our third line. Still think our defense needs to be bolstered and hope Gillis is looking for some help there.
Is Tanev really below Sulzer on the depth chart?
Is Tanev really below Sulzer on the depth chart?
- BladesofSteel
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Re: GDT: Canucks vs Ducks (8pm - Saskie time!)
Nope, but he's not eligible for waivers unlike the current top 8.cjc wrote: Is Tanev really below Sulzer on the depth chart?
- Chef Boi RD
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Re: GDT: Canucks vs Ducks (8pm - Saskie time!)
Tanev has a good future, no need to rush him. He seemingly is a victim to a numbers game, and that is fine. The Detroit Model, remember?BladesofSteel wrote:Nope, but he's not eligible for waivers unlike the current top 8.cjc wrote: Is Tanev really below Sulzer on the depth chart?
“Tyler Myers is my guy... I was taking to Scotty Bowman last night and he was bringing up his name, and saying he’s a big guy and big guy need big minutes to play, he is playing great for ya… and I agree with him… He’s been exceptional” - Bruce Boudreau
Re: GDT: Canucks vs Ducks (8pm - Saskie time!)
For the life of me, I cannot understand why the Ducks are doing so poorly this year.
They are MUCH better than what they have showed.
They are MUCH better than what they have showed.
Re: GDT: Canucks vs Ducks (8pm - Saskie time!)
Farhan Lalji wrote:For the life of me, I cannot understand why the Ducks are doing so poorly this year.
They are MUCH better than what they have showed.
Totally agree on that.
Their record is shameful given their talent base.
That should be a perennial 100+ point club.
Re: GDT: Canucks vs Ducks (8pm - Saskie time!)
To add what was said, he is better off playing real minutes in Chicago rather than being part of the 5/6/7 merry-go-round.cjc wrote: Is Tanev really below Sulzer on the depth chart?
- tantalum
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Re: GDT: Canucks vs Ducks (8pm - Saskie time!)
A lot of the Ducks problems stem from Hiller clearly not being 100% recovered from the vertigo to start the year. IT's only recently he's showing signs of returning to his normal level. When you tack on a disinterested Getzlaf and struggling blueline you get the season they've had. Playoffs dreams are done but I expect they'll get themselves to 12th or so.
Re: GDT: Canucks vs Ducks (8pm - Saskie time!)
I listened to MG talk about Tanev and he's very high on the guy. But he insists that he plays in all situation and gets' big minutes in Chicago to develop his game to the full
cheers
Re: GDT: Canucks vs Ducks (8pm - Saskie time!)
dhabums wrote:To add what was said, he is better off playing real minutes in Chicago rather than being part of the 5/6/7 merry-go-round.cjc wrote: Is Tanev really below Sulzer on the depth chart?
The biggest benefit to playing in Chicago is that he's getting first unit power play time.
The Canucks think Tanev could be a good power play guy as well as a puck mover at even strength but he's never really had the opportunity to develop as a point man.
He has 12 points in his last 20 or so games so he seems to be improving a lot offensively.
Kind of a win / win at this point, we get to keep an extra defenseman on the roster and Tanev gets to work on his game..
Re: GDT: Canucks vs Ducks (8pm - Saskie time!)
They are pretty thin after you get past the big 4-5 names.tantalum wrote:A lot of the Ducks problems stem from Hiller clearly not being 100% recovered from the vertigo to start the year.