While it's not confirmed, all signs point to the 23-year-old making his season debut tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Ducks opted to forego line rushes this morning and instead went right into drills.
"It's always special getting the call," Noesen said. "I've been fortunate to have a couple games under my belt. I'm starting to hit a pretty good stride this season, so it's nice to see a little reward."
The Plano, Texas native has recorded 11 points (3g/8a, including a shorthanded goal) in 18 games with the Gulls this season. But it was a switch from his usual right wing to center that allowed him to really develop his game, according to Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle.
"He's skating much better and he's made a contribution as being their best forward for a while," said Carlyle. "It was easy to make that call." Noesen played the center position throughout his career with the Ontario Hockey League's Plymouth Whalers.
We won't know Rickard Rakell's status until closer to game time, but it appears he'll miss his second consecutive game with an upper-body injury. He practiced yesterday but remained on the ice today well after the majority of players were already in the locker room. If he doesn't play, expect Nick Ritchie to fill his spot at left wing alongside Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry.
John Gibson will get the start tonight. The 23-year-old is coming off a 29-save performance in Anaheim's 3-2 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place on December 3. Gibson enters tonight's game with an 8-7-4 record, 2.45 goals-against average and .915 save percentage in 19 games this season.
Opposite of Gibson will be Cam Ward, who has helped the Hurricanes earn points in 10 of his 14 starts since November 1. During that span, the 32-year-old netminder ranks first among NHL goaltenders (minimum five games) in GAA (1.55), second in SV% (.943) and tied for second in shutouts (2).
Jordan Staal didn't accompany the team on the road trip and obviously won't play tonight. The veteran center is still recovering from a concussion suffered on November 27 against the Florida Panthers. Elias Lindholm was on the ice this morning, but it's confirmed he also won't be in the lineup. Lindholm has missed the past two games with a lower-body injury.
Potential Line Combinations
Anaheim
Ritchie-Getzlaf-Perry
Cogliano-Kesler-Silfverberg
Cramarossa-Vermette-Kase
Garbutt-Noesen-Shaw
Fowler-Vatanen
Lindholm-Manson
Theodore-Bieksa
Gibson
Bernier
Carolina
Di Giuseppe-Rask-Skinner
Stempniak-Teravainen-Aho
Nestrasil-Ryan-McGinn
Nordstrom-McClement-Stalberg
Hainsey-Faulk
Slavin-Pesce
Hanifin-Tennyson
Ward
Leighton
