GDT: Ducks VS Predators; Game 75; 04-04-2014

Division-leading Ducks Close Out Homestand vs. Predators


PREDATORS (33-32-11) at DUCKS (50-18-8)


TV: SPSO, PRIME


Last 10: Nashville 5-4-1; Anaheim 7-2-1


Season series: Anaheim hosts Nashville for the first time since Feb. 16, 2013 as the two clubs conclude a three-game season series Friday at Honda Center. The Ducks are 32-18-7 vs. the Predators, including a 20-5-3 record in Orange County. Anaheim has won five straight over Nashville to match its all-time best (also Mar. 5, 1999-Apr. 7, 2000). The Ducks earned a 4-3 victory in the series opener on January 9 in Nashville, keyed by Teemu Selanne’s 109th career game-winning goal to match Brendan Shanahan for fifth on the all-time GWG list. On February 8, Anaheim went into its 10-day Olympic break with a 5-2 victory in Nashville. Ryan Getzlaf led all skaters with three points (2g/1a).
Big story: A third-period comeback against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday allowed the Ducks to reach 50 wins for the first time in franchise history. Now, with six games remaining, the goal is to lock down the Pacific Division title and try to catch the St. Louis Blues for first in the Western Conference and perhaps the league-leading Boston Bruins, who only hold a two-point lead on Anaheim.


Team Scope:


Ducks: Jonas Hiller is a seven-year NHL veteran who has 20 games of postseason experience, but it's been hard to overlook the play of rookie Frederik Andersen this season. The 24-year-old Denmark native stopped 30 shots against Edmonton in making his third consecutive start. Andersen ranks first among rookie goalies in wins (19), second in goals-against average (2.27) and tied for second in save percentage (.925) (min. 15 games).


"Freddie has proven he's one of the good, young goaltenders in this league," coach Bruce Boudreau said.


Two goals from Corey Perry helped Anaheim erase Edmonton's 2-0 lead and Francois Beauchemin scored with 1:21 remaining for a 3-2 win, two nights after the Ducks rallied from a four-goal deficit to defeat the Winnipeg Jets. Conventional wisdom states scoring first is usually a good idea, but the Ducks lead the NHL this season by a wide margin with a .556 points percentage in games where they surrender the opening goal.


"We've been a team that's worked hard all year," said Perry, who notched his 40th and 41st goals of the season. "We have that never-say-die attitude. If we can continue to push and play the right way for a full 60 minutes, we'll be all right."


Predators: This is the start of a three-game road trip for Nashville, which hasn't been eliminated yet from Stanley Cup Playoff contention but whose immediate order of business is trying to pass the Winnipeg Jets and get out of the basement in the Central Division.


The Predators have enjoyed their fair share of success in recent years at Honda Center, where they're 6-3-2 in their past 11 visits and 3-1-1 in the past five. Overall this season, they have 38 points in 37 road games.


"I think we've been strong on the road," said Eric Nystrom said. "We needed more points at home. That was what killed us. Our home record was just not good enough this year, especially with the home-ice advantage and the type of building and atmosphere that we have here."


Who's hot: Ducks forward Corey Perry has four goals and two assists during a three-game point streak. Getzlaf has one goal and four assists during a four-game point streak. ... Predators forward Patric Hornqvist has four goals and four assists during a five-game point streak. Defenseman Shea Weber has three goals in as many games.


Injury report: Anaheim defensemen Cam Fowler (knee) and Mark Fistric (lower body) remain sidelined. Nashville defenseman Seth Jones (concussion) has been cleared to return. Forwards Nick Spaling (lower body) and Paul Gaustad (upper body) could also be back. Forward Patrick Eaves (lower body) is day-to-day.

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