GDT: Ducks VS Canucks; Game 47; 01-15-2014

Ducks Look to Continue Historic Run at Honda Center Against Canucks



CANUCKS (24-14-9) at DUCKS (35-8-5)


TV: SNET-P, FS-W


Last 10: Vancouver 4-3-3; Anaheim 9-1-0


Season series: Anaheim and Vancouver play the third of a five-game season series tonight at Honda Center. The season series opened with consecutive games in Anaheim, including a 3-1 Ducks win on Nov. 10 and a 4-3 OT Ducks win on Jan. 5. Anaheim is 34-35-15 all-time vs. Vancouver (16-15-11 mark in Orange County). Following tonight's game, the season series will conclude with a pair of games in Vancouver on Mar. 29 and Apr. 7.


Big story: The NHL-leading Ducks conclude a two-game homestand vs. Vancouver tonight at Honda Center (7:30 p.m. PST, PRIME TICKET/AM 830). The Ducks have won 17 of their last 18 games (17-1-0) to become the fifth team in NHL history to win 17+ games in an 18-game span. The team is 9-0-0 at Honda Center and 8-1-0 on the road during the stretch, including a league-best seven-game active win streak overall.


"We have so much talent and depth," said defenseman Ben Lovejoy. "Our first line through our fourth line can beat you. And when we need it, we’ve had some of the best players in the world step up and score big, timely goals for us. It’s been very fun.”


The Ducks have three seven-game win streaks this season, marking the first team to do so since Detroit in 2007-08. Anaheim also has 10 comeback wins in the last 18 games, four of those from two-goal deficits. The Ducks, who have points in 20 of the last 21 games (18-1-2), are 12-1-2 vs. the Pacific Division and a league-leading 19-3-2 (.833 points %) vs. the Western Conference. With a 35-8-5 record for 75 points, Anaheim is riding its best start to a season through 48 games, besting the previous mark of 30-10-8 for 68 points in 2006-07.


Jonas Hiller owns a club-record 14 straight victories (14-0-0) to match the second-longest streak all-time in an NHL single season.


“It’s kind of tough to fully block it out, especially if people ask me about it every day,” said Jonas Hiller, with a laugh. “But once I go on the ice, it’s all about not getting scored on and trying to win a game. That’s the main part…the winning. That’s been the most exciting thing about the streak. That’s going to be the focus again [against Vancouver].”


Team Scope:


Ducks: Anaheim extended its winning streak to seven while earning its 17th victory in 18 games with a 1-0 win Sunday against the Detroit Red Wings. Goalie Jonas Hiller had his third shutout of the season and 19th of his career.


"Our goalies have been amazing for us lately, especially Jonas," center Saku Koivu said. "He made some key saves. The way he's been playing, he's give us some confidence. We know even if we're not at our sharpest, we're going to have a chance to win."


Canucks: Although the Canucks have dropped six of seven their past seven games, they left Staples Center after a 1-0 loss to the LA Kings feeling good about their game and their response to the Kings' physical style of play.


"I thought we did a really good job as far as deciding that ice is ours also," coach John Tortorella said. "It's something that has been minus from our game a little bit here. We got squat for points. But I think we crossed a couple of bridges in what needs to be done."


Who's hot: Hiller was named the league's second star for the week ending Jan. 12 after going 3-0-0 with a 1.67 goals-against average and a .941 save percentage. He has won 14 straight games, which ties the second-longest in League history with Tom Barrasso, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Meanwhile, Andrew Cogliano has points in five of his past seven games (4g/1a) and six goals in his past 10. Kyle Palmieri has points in five of his past seven (2g/4a). ... Canucks goaltender Eddie Lack has allowed one goal in each of his past two games.


Injury report: Ducks defenseman Luca Sbisa (torn tendon, right hand) skated Tuesday and could return next week. Defenseman Bryan Allen (lower body) also practiced and coach Bruce Boudreau believes he could be ready by the weekend. However, defenseman Sheldon Souray (wrist) is "a ways away," according to Boudreau. Goalie Viktor Fasth(lower body) remains on IR, but Boudreau said he expects the 31-year-old to resume skating at the end of this week or early next week. ... Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo (ankle) remains day to day. Forwards Alexandre Burrows (broken jaw) and Jordan Schroeder (ankle), and defenseman Andrew Alberts (concussion) and Ryan Stanton (ankle) are on injured reserve.

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