This marks the first of three games between these clubs this season. The Ducks are 36-21-7 all-time against the Predators, going 9-3-0 in their past 12 overall meetings dating to Jan. 26, 2013. Anaheim has won three straight home games vs. Nashville and are 23-6-3 all-time against the Predators at Honda Center. Ryan Getzlaf paces current Anaheim skaters in career scoring vs. Nashville, picking up 37 points (11g/26a) in 34 games. The Ducks and Preds will meet again in 17 days at Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 12 (5 p.m. PST) and close out the season set back at Honda Center on March 7 (7 p.m. PST).
Anaheim is coming off a 2-1 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks last night at SAP Center. The Ducks were hit with a double-dose of adversity when starting goaltender Jonathan Bernier suffered an upper-body injury and didn't return after the first period, and Getzlaf took a puck off the forearm region early in the second period and only skated in 10:05 TOI. Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle said both would be re-evaluated today.
As for the Predators, tonight kickstarts a five-game road trip that continues tomorrow in LA, Saturday in San Jose, next Tuesday in Colorado and next Thursday in Arizona. A brutal bout of food poisoning didn't keep the Preds down in their last contest, which ended up being a 5-1 blowout over the Pittsburgh Penguins at Bridgestone Arena. Colton Sissons, Craig Smith, Mike Fisher and Pekka Rinne were among those who sat out the game after falling ill the day before in Detroit. Ryan Johansen was also among those who were affected by an apparent bad batch of chicken noodle soup, according to Predators general manager David Poile.
Joining a month-long, league-wide initiative, the Ducks have partnered with the Jessie Rees Foundation for this year's Hockey Fights Cancer Night to raise awareness and help in the fight against cancer. The interactive evening will encourage fan participation in a variety of ways, including the creation of "I Fight For" cards recognizing loved ones affected by cancer. The Ducks are calling all fans in attendance tonight to help support the Jessie Rees Foundation by participating in a JoyDrive and by bringing "crazy socks for courageous kids" that will be placed in JoyJars and given to kids at children's hospitals all over the world to enjoy. Drop off locations will be at South and Northeast entrances.
