Preview: Ducks Close Out Back to Back Tonight in Montreal
by Kyle Shohara @kyleshohara / AnaheimDucks.com
After a rough night in Toronto, the Ducks will look to snap a four-game losing streak tonight in Montreal against the Canadiens at Bell Centre (4:30 p.m. PT, TV: KCOP-13, Radio: AM 830). The Ducks have lost four in a row and two straight since coming out of the bye week. They've fallen to second-to-last in the Pacific Division yet sit three points out of a playoff spot.
This is the opener of a two-game season series between the Ducks and Canadiens, and the lone contest held in Montreal. The Ducks have posted a 15-13-4 all-time record against the Canadiens, including a 6-8-2 mark in Quebec's largest city. Ryan Kesler leads active Ducks in career scoring against the Canadiens with 16 points (5g/11a) in 20 games. Corey Perry has points in two straight (1g/1a) against the Canadiens and four points in his last six (3g/1a), Nick Ritchie has two points (both assists) in two consecutive games, while Cam Fowler has six points (2g/4a) in his last seven against the Habs dating to March 4, 2015. The series will conclude on March 8 at Honda Center.
Though the Ducks have struggled to string together wins, several players have been able to put points on the board. Ritchie, who had a goal and an assist against Winnipeg on Saturday, has 11 points (3g/8a) in his last 15 games. The 23-year-old left wing needs one more assist to tie his career high output from last season (17), and needs five more points to tie his career-high (28) set during the 2016-17 season. Daniel Sprong enters tonight's game with four goals and seven points in his last nine contests, including goals in two of his last three games.
The Canadiens have climbed into third place in the Atlantic Division thanks to a 7-2-1 over their last 10 games. They're coming off a 4-3 overtime victory at home against the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday, which included two power-play goals. Rookie center Jesperi Kotkaniemi is riding his first career two-game goal streak and has 25 points (8g/17a) in 53 games. Max Domi leads the Habs with 47 points (17g/30a), while Tomas Tatar (16g/23a) and Jonathan Drouin (15g/24a) have 39 points apiece. Veteran blueliner Shea Weber made his season debut on Nov. 27 vs. Carolina and has 17 points (8g/9a) in 29 games this season. Weber opened the scoring against Edmonton with a trademark goal - a blast from the point on a one timer from the top of the left circle. Goaltender Carey Price has a 21-13-4 record, 2.57 goals-against average and .915 save percentage in 39 appearances this season.