Behind Enemy Lines: Nashville Predators Vs. Anaheim Ducks

The Nashville Predators are back in action after having postponed their last two home games due to a water main break in Bridgestone Arena this past Friday. The team hasn’t played since a shutout loss to the Detroit Red Wings six days ago.

Nashville’s Black Friday began with reports coming from fans that the team store was flooded first thing in the morning.

Around-the-clock work has allowed the organization to carry on with its schedule as planned to face the Anaheim Ducks this evening. Anaheim is sitting dead last (6-15-1) in the league with 13 points this season.

On the power play, Anaheim is 10-for-66 (31st overall) and 32nd overall in penalty kill allowing 28 goals. The Predators and Ducks both average around three penalties per game through 20 games.

The Ducks began the 22-23 campaign without a win in regulation play until Nov. 23. Their first five wins of the season were done in either overtime or a shootout.

Having lost two in a row coming into Nashville the Ducks will look to give the Predators a challenge by trying to pick up win No. 2 in regulation this season.

The Anaheim Ducks

This is not the Ducks of old Predators fans are used to seeing. Players like Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler are some of the former faces of a rivalry, but now some new faces have come on the scene.

Trevor Zegras has been one of the latest NHL superstars to make some noise. He’s garnered the second most points (94) from the 2019 draft class only behind Jack Hughes.

Zegras is known for his lacrosse-style goal-scoring ability. “The Michigan” is what the move is called and Zegras isn’t afraid to get creative on the ice and whip the puck up and flick it into the top open corner.

The former ninth-overall pick in 2019 has only played twice against the Nashville Predators, picking up three assists.

This season Zegras has 20 points in 22 games centering the top forward line.

Adam Henrique is a former player of Predators Head Coach John Hynes when the duo was both in New Jersey (2015-2017). The second-oldest skater on the team has 11 points in 19 games overall against Nashville.

The veteran forward has four points in his last five games scoring his first power play goal of the season against the Kraken over the weekend.

On the blue line, the Ducks have Cam Fowler who is the longest-tenured player on the roster.

Fowler, in his 13th NHL season, has played the Predators 31 times picking up 16 points. He’s coming off his career-best season in points (42) and is attempting to help rebuild the Ducks back to the postseason.

Defenseman John Klingberg has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury. There’s a chance he draws back into the lineup if he’s ready to return. Klingberg signed a 1-year $7 million deal over the offseason.

During his tenure in Dallas, he put up 25 points in 36 games against the Predators. He scored his first goal against Nashville back on March 8.

John Gibson has been the mainstay in the net for the Ducks for the last seven seasons and is currently 4-12-1 overall.

He’ll likely be in the starter’s crease with a 6-8-0 record against the Predators. He’s lost three straight games to Nashville. Gibson has a 3.23 GAA & .894 SV% against the Predators.

Anthony Stolarz has been backing up Gibson this season posting a 2-3-0 record. He last played against the Ottawa Senators losing 5-1.

Projected Ducks Lineup via Daily Faceoff

Offense 

Henrique – Zegras – Terry

Grant – Strome – Vatrano

Carrick – Lundestrom – Silfverberg

Jones – McTavish – Leason

Defense 

Fowler – Kulikov

Benoit – White

Beaulieu – Shattenkirk

Injured: *Klingberg*