What in the world is happening with the Anaheim Ducks (0-2-1)? The three-time defending Pacific Division champions have had a rough start to their 2015-16 campaign, losing their first three games thus far. Ryan Getzlaf and company have only managed to put up a single point in this winless stretch. They’ll hope to find their offensive groove back and finally earn their first win when they take on the visiting Colorado Avalanche (1-2-0) later tonight at Honda Center. Can the Ducks succeed in doing so?
Read on below for a detailed breakdown of this Western Conference showdown. If you’re craving for some more NHL action, check out our other previews for: Hurricanes vs. Red Wings and Maple Leafs vs. Blue Jackets. Enjoy.
[sc:NHLArticles ]Colorado Avalanche vs. Anaheim Ducks Preview
Where: Honda Center, Anaheim, California
When: Friday, October 16, 10:00 PM ET
Line: Colorado Avalanche (+155) at Anaheim Ducks (-175); total 5.5 – view all NHL lines
Betting on the Colorado Avalanche
After registering their first win of the 2015-16 NHL season at the expense of the Dallas Stars on October 12, the Colorado Avalanche failed to build on their momentum as they were emphatically sent back to the losing column Wednesday night. They suffered a lopsided 6-2 setback at home against the Boston Bruins, who were helmed by Jimmy Hayes’ first four points (one goal and three helpers) of the year.
[sc:NHL240 ]The Avs couldn’t get anything or anyone from their team on track. Goalie Semyon Varlamov, who’s considered as one of the league’s best net minders, was a testament to this.The Russian allowed the game’s first five goals on 19 shots and was quickly yanked out by head coach Patrick Roy. Varlamov has been shaky thus far in his first three starts, holding a subpar 5.07 GAA and a save percentage of .841 in that time frame.
Things are bound to get more challenging for the Avalanche, as they travel on the road for the first time this season to square off with the still-winless Anaheim Ducks.
For them to bounce back later at Honda Center, the pressure is on goaltender, Reto Berra, who played mop up duty for Varlamov in Wednesday’s loss, to prevent Anaheim’s offense to find its 2014 form that averaged 2.78 goals per game, among the highest in the league. Berra might just be able to do so, as he’s been quite solid thus far when opposing the Ducks, owning a 1-1-0 record with a respectable 3.79 GAA and a .907 save percentage across two career starts.
As for the offense, look to their current scoring leader and captain, Gabriel Landeskog, who has four goals and two assists through three contests, to lead the attack. He’s had notable performances versus the reigning Pacific Division champions, tallying 12 points (four goals and six assists) with a plus/minus of two in over 12 games played.
Colorado is 2-3 SU and 3-1-1 OU in its previous five road games.
Betting on the Anaheim Ducks
The boat continues to sink for the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks were handed their third-straight loss of the season after an embarrassing 4-0 defeat on Wednesday to the Arizona Coyotes, who are off to a surprising 3-0-0 start. They’ll now try to avoid opening with four-straight losses for the first time in seven years when they play host to the Colorado Avalanche this evening.
Offense remains to be one of the main issues for the Ducks, who have been outscored 7-1 and held scoreless twice in three games. They did manage to 37 shots on goal against the Coyotes after failing to record 30 in their previous two, but Mike Smith negated every single of it.
Captain Ryan Getzlaf can definitely relate to his offensive struggle. Getzlaf, who led the Ducks in points (70), goals (33) and assists (45) last year, has yet to record a point. Teammate Corey Perry feels the same pain and has never started a season scoreless for the first four games. He’ll definitely try to prevent that from becoming a reality.
However, offense won’t be the only thing that the Ducks need to worry about and improve on. Colorado’s offense has been lethal thus far in its first three games by averaging an NFL-best 4.00 goals per game.
That being the case, it’s a good thing that Frederik Andersen will be getting the start later for the Ducks, as he’s been arguably their lone bright spot. Andersen boasts a 1.40 GAA and a .956 saving percentage thus far this season. He also stopped 22 of 24 shot attempts in his only start opposite the Avalanche on March 20 to help his team notch the hard-fought 3-2 triumph.
Anaheim is 6-4 SU and 4-5-1 OU in its last 10 meetings with Colorado.
Writer’s Prediction
The Ducks still struggle to find their offensive rhythm as the Avs (+155) escape with the win.
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