GDT: Game 7: Ducks VS Blues; 10-19-2014

[h=1]Ducks Aim to Continue Success vs. Blues[/h]
BLUES (2-1-1) at DUCKS (4-1-0)


TV: PRIME, FS-MW


The Anaheim Ducks (4-1-0, 8 pts.) play the second contest of a five-game homestand tonight against the St. Louis Blues at Honda Center (5 p.m. PDT, Prime Ticket, AM 830). The 2014-15 Ducks have matched the best start to a season in club history by wins (also 2013-14 and 2011-12) and by points (also 2013-14, 2011-12, 2006-07). Anaheim's 17 goals are tied for the second-most to start a season in franchise history (also 1996-97), only one behind the 2013-14 club (18). Following tonight's game, the homestand will continue with games on Wednesday, October 22 vs. Buffalo (7:30 p.m.), Friday, October 24 vs. Columbus (7 p.m.) and Sunday, October 26 vs. San Jose (5 p.m.).


Season series: Anaheim and St. Louis begin a three-game season series tonight at Honda Center. The Ducks swept last season’s three-game set (3-0-0) and have earned a franchise-record seven straight home wins over the Blues dating to Jan. 7, 2010. Anaheim owns a 36-32-10 all-time record vs. St. Louis (21-15-2 at home) and are led by Ryan Getzlaf’s 6-19=25 points in 29 career games against the Blues. The season series will shift to Scottrade Center on Thursday, October 30 before returning to Honda Center for the finale on Friday, January 2.


Ducks team scope: Anaheim comes in having won four straight after Andrew Cogliano and Corey Perry scored in the third period to lift the Ducks past the Minnesota Wild in their home opener on Friday. The 2-1 win was Anaheim's second come-from-behind victory in four games. "Unfortunately we tend to get behind the eight ball sometimes in the first couple periods and force ourselves to [come from behind]," said defenseman Cam Fowler. "That's something that we're trying to fix and address because we'd like to be a team that can play with the lead and not have to come back all the time. But it's still a good quality to have, and I just think we're a resilient group." Perry has a five-game point streak (five goals, two assists) to open the season. Ryan Kesler, acquired from the Vancouver Canucks during the summer, has two goals and three assists.


Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau said tonight's contest will be another test in this young season. “It's a man's game," he said, of facing the Blues. "There is a lot of hitting and very little space to go around. You have to be willing to take a hit and get it. It’s a tough one.”


Adds Fowler, “Any time you go up against teams like this, it’s something you can measure yourself up against,” he said. “St. Louis has been one of the top teams in the league the past couple of years, and I don’t think this year is any different. We know the type of hockey team they have, but we’re confident with our group. It’s going to be a big test for us, early, to see where we’re at.”


Blues team scope: St. Louis bounced back from a 1-0 shootout loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday with a 6-1 victory against the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday. But the win was costly. Center Paul Stastny will not play against the Ducks, according to coach Ken Hitchcock, after he sustained an upper-body injury on his first shift and did not return. Hitchcock said Stastny is day-to-day. Schwartz scored his first career hat trick Saturday. "Jaden's playing better and better. He has a lot of tenacity and a great shot," Hitchcock said. "I was really happy for him that he got the third goal; it's good for his confidence." Brian Elliott will likely be back in goal in Anaheim after backup Jake Allen made 24 saves in the win at Arizona.

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