GDT: Ducks VS Oilers 12-10-2014

Ducks Open Home-and-Home Series vs. Oilers


OILERS (7-16-5) at DUCKS (18-6-5)


TV: SNW, SNOL, FS-W


The Latest: The NHL-leading Anaheim Ducks (18-6-5, 41 pts.) open a home-and-home series against the Edmonton Oilers tonight at Honda Center (7 p.m. PST, FOX Sports West/AM 830). As the first team to reach 40 standings points this season, the Ducks have won four straight games, seven of their last nine (7-2-0) and earned 41 points in their last 27 (18-5-5). The club's four-game winning streak is currently the league's second-longest active win streak behind only Chicago (seven games). Anaheim's last 11 victories have been one-goal games dating to a 1-0 win on Oct. 28 at Chicago, including five decided in extra time (two overtime, three shootout). The Ducks lead the NHL with 14 wins in one-goal games (14-0-5) and join Vancouver as the only two NHL teams without a regulation loss in a game decided by one goal. Anaheim also ranks third among NHL teams for winning percentage in one-goal games (.737). This home-and-home series with the Oilers continues this Friday, Dec. 12 in Edmonton (6:30 p.m. PST), where the Ducks begin a five-game, nine-day road trip. Anaheim will also make stops in Winnipeg (Dec. 13), Toronto (Dec. 16), Montreal (Dec. 18) and Ottawa (Dec. 19) prior to their final game before the Christmas break on Dec. 22 vs. San Jose.


Ducks-Oilers: Anaheim and Edmonton open a four-game season series this evening at Honda Center. The Ducks are 45-35-7 all-time vs. the Oilers, including 16-3-1 since the start of the 2009-10 season. Anaheim has won a franchise-tying four consecutive home games against Edmonton for a 25-16-3 all-time record at Honda Center. Ryan Kesler leads active Ducks skaters in career scoring vs. Edmonton, earning 9-26=35 points in 51 games. The season series continues at Rexall Place on Friday, Dec. 12 and Saturday, Feb. 21 before concluding at Honda Center on Wednesday, Apr. 1.


Ducks team scope: The Ducks will be without their leading goal scorer, Corey Perry, for the next 3-4 weeks because of a sprained knee, the team announced Tuesday. Perry was injured in the first period Friday against the Minnesota Wild when he was knocked into the boards along the right wall on a hip check by Minnesota defenseman Keith Ballard. He was favoring his left leg, needed assistance to leave the ice and immediately left the bench.


“It was just a sprained knee,” said Perry. “It just takes a little time for everything to heal up. Hopefully it’s not too long and it’s quicker than what I expect.”


Perry says his knee was “pretty stiff” on Saturday, but there is already noticeable improvement. “Each day since then has gotten better,” he said. “If it continues to increase at this speed, hopefully it’s over quicker than what we’re expecting. We’re thankful there aren’t any tears.”


He will be replaced on the top line by Devante Smith-Pelly. "Corey isn't going to be replaced, but someone has to go in there and do his job," coach Bruce Boudreau said. "Smith-Pelly is a natural right winger even though he was doing well at center. He was the leading scorer in Norfolk last year and he was a 50-goal scorer in junior. We know he has good hands." Goalie John Gibson, who was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 4 because of a groin injury, practiced Tuesday. The Ducks also signed veteran goalie Ilya Bryzgalov to a one-year contract. Frederik Andersen is likely to start against the Oilers.


Oilers team scope: The Oilers lost for the 12th time in their past 13 games when they dropped a 5-2 decision at SAP Center in San Jose on Tuesday. Edmonton fell behind by two goals early but rallied with goals from Jordan Eberle and David Perron before the first intermission. However, the Sharks responded with two more goals early in the second period and never looked back. Ben Scrivens made 19 saves in the loss. "We're getting enough chances to score three goals, and it's a 3-2 league," coach Dallas Eakins said. "If you're going to continue to score two, it's not going to go well for you. Our guys are getting their chances, but we've got to start putting them in the net now. We've got to put ourselves in a better spot to score the goals." Viktor Fasth will start against his former team Wednesday.

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