GDT: Game 8: Ducks VS Sabres; 10-22-2014

[h=1]Ducks Look to Continue Hot Streak Against Struggling Sabres[/h]
SABRES (1-5-0) at DUCKS (5-1-0)


TV: PRIME, MSG-B, BELL TV


The Latest: The Anaheim Ducks (5-1-0, 10 pts.) play the third contest of a five-game homestand Wednesday night against the Buffalo Sabres at Honda Center (7:30 p.m. PDT, Prime Ticket, AM 830). With victories in five of their first six games, the 2014-15 Ducks have matched the best start to a season in club history by wins (5-1-0; 2013-14) and by points (10; also 2013-14, 2006-07). Since a 6-4 loss on October 9 in Pittsburgh, the Ducks have won five in a row for the NHL's longest winning streak since Ottawa finished the 2013-14 regular season with five straight victories (April 5-13, 2014). Anaheim's 20 goals are tied for the second-most to start a season in franchise history (also 1996-97), only one behind the 2013-14 club (21).


Season series: The Ducks conclude their first season series of 2014-15 Wednesday night at Honda Center. Anaheim earned a 5-1 victory in the opener of the two-game set on October 13 at First Niagara Center, led by William Karlsson’s first two career NHL goals. Both Karlsson goals were assisted by Jakob Silfverberg, who recorded his first career multi-assist game. Corey Perry and Matt Beleskey also scored, while Ryan Kesler converted on his first career penalty shot, a successful attempt against Buffalo's Michal Neuvirth. Frederik Andersen stopped 11-of-12 shots for the win. Buffalo’s 12 shots allowed were the fewest yielded by Anaheim since Feb. 13, 2011 at Edmonton (also 12) and fell only one shy of the franchise record for fewest shots allowed in a game (11, Jan. 23, 2004 vs. Minnesota). With the win, the Ducks improved to 11-14-4 all-time vs. the Sabres, including a 6-8-0 mark at Honda Center. Anaheim has won three straight over Buffalo, sweeping the two-game season series last year. Ryan Getzlaf has recorded 5-7=12 points in 10 career games vs. Buffalo, tops among current Anaheim players.


Ducks team scope: The Ducks, winners of five straight since a season-opening loss at Pittsburgh, are refusing to look past the Sabres. "We don't want to be the team that gets them going," said defenseman Ben Lovejoy. "They are a team that if given some confidence can do some damage." Andersen is 5-0-0 with a 1.38 goals-against average and .950 save percentage, and is one of two NHL goalies (Ross Brooks) to win 25 of his first 30 starts. "He's made that big save, that key save, when we needed it," forward Nate Thompson said. Coach Bruce Boudreau could get John Gibson into his first NHL game since opening night. Gibson was sent to the American Hockey League last week and stopped 55 of 61 shots in two games. Following Wednesday's game, Anaheim's homestand will continue with games on Friday, October 24 vs. Columbus (7 p.m.) and Sunday, October 26 vs. San Jose (5 p.m.).


Sabres team scope: Buffalo has been shut out in consecutive games for the first time since October 2009, has seven goals in six games, and is in a goal drought of 142:06. Their play led to coach Ted Nolan calling a team meeting upon arriving in Anaheim. "Right now it's not good enough," said Nolan. "The only people who can get ourselves out of this mess right now is ourselves. We know we're not playing that well. Our work ethic has to be much better." The Sabres' next three opponents (Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks) are a combined 13-3-2. Rookie center Sam Reinhart, a healthy scratch Saturday, skated on the fourth line during practice Monday and Tuesday. Nolan said Reinhart will play on the Sabres' trip through California, but wouldn't say if he'd be in the lineup Wednesday.

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mightyhoserduck said:

QUACK QUACK QUACK!!!

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