The Ducks (5-3-1) return home to Honda Center for a game against the Red Wings (8-3-0). Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. PT and will air on Victory+ and KCOP-13.
After five games in 10 days on the road, Friday’s game marks the first of three home tilts for Anaheim. The Ducks went 3-1-1 on the road and capped it off with a 3-2 shootout victory over the Panthers.
Ending the road trip on a high note was key for this group, and Lukáš Dostál said it could be a great springboard as this team trends into November.
“I thought it was a really good trip,” Dostál said. “We were hoping that we would also get some points from (a 4-3 regulation loss) in Tampa, but when we recap the road trip, I think we did a great job, and we have to keep moving forward.”
One bonus for the Ducks tonight is the return of Chris Kreider, who missed the last four games with hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville said the team has a “good spot” for Kreider now that he’s back and his presence will add to the impact of their power play. "We get more of a complete look at what we'd really like to do, be a net-front team and get rewarded by going there," Quenneville said. "That's one of his strengths. He's got great hand-eye coordination with tipping and quick hands and loose pucks in that area. He certainly helps our power play ... He's back and we've got a good spot for him."
Kreider said he’s excited to “get back around the group to feel more like myself” but added he was proud of his teammates for what they were able to do on the road trip while he was out.
"It was awesome,” Kreider said. "I mean, seven out of 10 points in any five-game span, especially a road trip, is phenomenal. So yeah, it was one thing that I enjoyed doing while I was locked in my room.”
Detroit comes into tonight’s game fresh off a 4-3 shootout win yesterday to the Kings, adding to their three-game winning streak.
“They’ve got good team speed,” said Quenneville. “They’re young, they’re aggressive, and they play a strong team-game. [Dylan] Larkin’s gotten them off to a really big start. They’re coming off a couple big wins so let’s take care of being a team that when we get home, we want to take advantage of being here. We did a lot of really good things on our road trip, so let’s find some consistency in our game and start our homestand in a good way.”
In the net tonight for Detroit is John Gibson, a familiar face who returns to Anaheim after spending his first 12 seasons with the club and winning 204 games, good for the second-most in franchise history. Gibson was was traded to the Wings last July 1 for goalie Petr Mrazek and two draft picks.
“Everything I did there, I don’t take it for granted,” Gibson said. “I’m super fortunate and blessed to have been able to be part of that organization, play there for so long. But nice time to get a change, and excited to be here.”
Having taken over the reins for Gibson, Dostál said the two have kept in touch and text but anticipates tonight will be emotionally charged for both sides.
“He was a mentor from day one I was here,” Dostál said. “I would say it’s going to be a little bit emotional for me and probably more emotional for him. He spent 12 seasons here, but it’s going to be fun to play against him.”
