The Ducks look to bounce back from a tough two-game Canadian road trip with a matchup against the shorthanded Edmonton Oilers. The Ducks are coming off a 6-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday while the Oilers are coming off a 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.
“We were terrible against Calgary,” Ducks head coach Greg Cronin said. “We had an off-night, those happen. We hadn’t had one, I think, since the St. Louis game (last month). Vancouver, believe it or not, I liked the way we played. There were five or six minutes there where the game got away. I think three of those were just kind of seeing-eye shots that found their way through to the net.
Takeaways from the Ducks’ 4-1 Loss to the FlamesWith the number of games remaining in the 2024-25 season down to single digits, the Anaheim Ducks took to the road for a two-game trip to Western Canada, starting on Thursday with a matchup against the Calgary Flames.
“I think we hit four or five posts that game, and four were direct post shots. That game could have gone either way if the posts that we hit in the first period had gone in and their deflections hadn’t gone in. But, would have, could have, should have. I liked the way we played.”
“(Those games) were tough,” Trevor Zegras said. “Calgary, we weren’t very sharp. Them scoring on the first shift was a good precursor for the rest of the game. Vancouver, I thought we actually played pretty well. They just scored five quick ones and then it was pretty much over. But I thought our effort was pretty good and I thought we played better that day than Calgary.”
Takeaways from the Ducks 6-2 Loss to the CanucksThe Anaheim Ducks wrapped up their brief two-game Western Canada road trip with a Saturday matinee against the Vancouver Canucks. The Ducks were coming off of a decisive 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Calgary Flames on Thursday and fared even worse on Saturday, as they dropped their third game of their last four by a score of 6-2.
The Oilers will be without Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who both missed the Kings’ matchup due to injury. McDavid has been out of the lineup since Mar. 20 with a lower-body injury, while Draisaitl’s ailment is undisclosed. Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch will have to dress a shorthanded lineup of 11 forwards and six defensemen due to injuries.
This game marks Max Jones’ return to Anaheim for the first time since he departed the team last summer in free agency. After signing with the Boston Bruins, Jones spent most of the season in AHL Providence before being acquired by the Oilers via trade on Mar. 4.
“It’s nostalgic,” Jones said about coming back to Honda Center. “A lot of memories, a lot of lifetime relationships that I’ve built––me and my wife––in this city, so definitely nostalgic coming back. It’s a cool feeling and it was really nice to see all the guys yesterday and this morning.
“It was a really tough situation in Boston. (The) team struggled all year, a lot of moving parts there. It was part of the road you’ve got to travel that takes you somewhere like Edmonton (with) a great hockey team and trying to win a Stanley Cup. It’s definitely a weird year. Still trying to come to the realization that I’m in Edmonton now and play for these guys. It’s very cool.”
This will be Adam Henrique’s second time back to Honda Center since being traded to the Oilers just before the trade deadline last season. Henrique was honored with a video tribute in his first time back earlier this season.
“It’s always nice (coming back),” Henrique said. “So many great memories here, so many great people, too, that meant a lot to me during my time (in Anaheim) and still (do). It’s nice to come back and see some familiar faces and say hi, catch up, those sorts of things. But, when it comes to game time, it’s all business. But, certainly nice to (catch up).”
Jacob Trouba and John Gibson, who both missed the Ducks’ game on Saturday with lower-body injuries, were not present at morning skate and will not play against the Oilers. Cronin did not have an update on either player.
Ducks Projected Lines
Cutter Gauthier – Leo Carlsson – Alex Killorn
Frank Vatrano – Ryan Strome – Troy Terry
Trevor Zegras – Mason McTavish – Sam Colangelo
Nikita Nesterenko – Isac Lundeström – Brett Leason
Jackson LaCombe – Radko Gudas
Oliver Kylington – Olen Zellweger
Pavel Mintyukov – Drew Helleson
Lukáš Dostál (projected)
Oilers Projected Lines
Vasily Podkolzin – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Viktor Arvidsson
Zach Hyman – Adam Henrique – Corey Perry
Jeff Skinner – Mattias Janmark – Connor Bornw
Max Jones – Kasperi Kapanen
Darnell Nurse – Jake Walman
Brett Kulak – Evan Bouchard
Troy Stecher – Ty Emberson
Olivier Rodrigue (confirmed)
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