Anaheim has earned points in four of its first five games this season, marking the seventh time the team has earned seven or more points through the first five contests of a season. Tonight is a chance for the Ducks to get back into the win column, having dropped two straight including a shootout loss on Wednesday.
This opens a three-game season series between the Ducks and Blues, which has seen Anaheim go 42-37-11 all-time against St. Louis. The Ducks have won their last two games at Enterprise Center dating to Nov. 29, 2017. A win tonight would tie the club's all-time win streak in St. Louis (three games, Dec. 31 2005-March 31-2007). Ryan Kesler paces active Ducks in scoring against the Blues with 22 points (10g/22a) in 40 career games.
Despite letting a three-goal lead slip away last night, it was a milestone evening for three Ducks rookies. Kiefer Sherwood potted his first career NHL goal at the 13:28 mark of the first period, a deft deflection on Josh Manson's point shot. Assisting on the goal was 18-year-old Isac Lundestrom, giving him his first career NHL point. Sam Steel earned his first career point at the 8:09 mark of the second period with the primary assist on Adam Henrique's power-play goal.
Ryan Miller, who took over for John Gibson to begin the third period last night, could make his first start of the season tonight against his former team. Miller was acquired by the Blues at the 2014 trade deadline in a blockbuster deal that included Steve Ott from the Buffalo Sabres for Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart, William Carrier, a first-round draft pick in 2015 and a third-round pick in 2016. Miller would go on to appear in 19 regular-season games with the Blues (10-8-1) and six more in the playoffs.
No update yet has been given on Ducks forward Carter Rowney, who left the game last night with an upper-body injury on his first shift and didn't return. Rowney has appeared in every game this season.
Chad Johnson will make his first start with the Blues tonight, per the club's website. Johnson spent the 2017-18 season with the Sabres, appearing in 36 games (10-16-3, 3.55 GAA, .891 SV%). Jaden Schwartz could miss his second consecutive game tonight with a lower-body injury. Last season the 26-year-old left wing ranked third on the team in points (59) with 24 goals and 35 assists in 62 games. He had two assists/points in three games this season.
