With this being the final game before the Christmas break, the Ducks have a chance to finish their road trip on a high note. Their offense came to life yesterday in an entertaining 6-5 shootout victory over the New York Islanders, marking the first time they've scored five or more goals in a game since a season-high seven goals on Oct. 29 vs. Winnipeg.
Earlier this morning the Ducks recalled right wing Daniel Sprong from AHL San Diego. The 22-year-old had 18 points (7g/11a) in 24 games with the Gulls this season, and co-led the team in points and ranked third in goals at the time of his recall. Sprong scored 14 goals and posted 19 points in 47 games with the Ducks last season following his Dec. 3, 2018 acquisition from the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Ryan Getzlaf will miss his second consecutive game with flu-like symptoms. Jakob Silfverberg, who scored the game-deciding goal in Anaheim's shootout victory yesterday, will also miss today's game with flu-like symptoms. Rickard Rakell will miss his first game of the season today with an upper-body injury.
This is the finale of a two-game season series between the Ducks and Rangers, which opened with a 4-3 shootout victory for Anaheim on Dec. 14 at Honda Center. That day, the Ducks erased a two-goal deficit with Silfverberg scoring his 20th career shootout goal (sixth career game-deciding goal) in the comeback victory.
The Ducks have posted a 19-12-7 all-time record against the Rangers, including a 7-8-4 mark at MSG.
This is the finale of a three-game homestand for the Rangers, who have lost the first two (both in regulation). They've gone winless in their past three, which includes the game against the Ducks. They've been outscored 11-5 in their past two games. Artemi Panarin leads the Rangers in scoring this season with 44 points (20g/24a) in 34 games. The 28-year-old left wing is riding a six-game point streak, with seven goals and 10 points over that span.
