Anaheim is looking to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat two nights ago against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena. Despite a dominating first period, the Ducks fell behind, 1-0, and eventually 2-0 before Adam Henrique scored with 3:54 remaining in regulation to cut the deficit in half.
"We weren't sharp with the puck and we needed to go upstairs more," Carlyle said after the game. "We put pucks into [Jimmy Howard's] feet. The puck was bouncing away from us. You can't play that way. Two turnovers in the game gave them goals. Those are very easily correctable."
We will see if the Ducks can learn from their mistakes tonight, the second contest of a three-game season series between the Ducks and Blackhawks and the final game held at United Center in 2017-18. The Ducks own a 47-32-11 all-time record against the Blackhawks, including a 23-18-6 mark in Chicago. More recently, the Ducks have taken two of the last three games dating to March 9, 2017 and have won two of the last three at United Center. Corey Perry leads active Ducks in career scoring against Chicago with 32 points (15g/17a) in 42 games. Ryan Kesler has points in four of his last five games against Chicago, earning four points (1g/3a) dating to Nov. 27, 2015 at Honda Center.
The Blackhawks enter tonight's contest with losses in seven consecutive games (0-6-1), the last five all coming in regulation. Overall, Chicago has two wins in its last 13 games (2-9-2) and have been held to two or fewer goals in the last five consecutive games and 12 of the last 15. With that being said, the Blackhawks exploded for seven goals in a 7-3 victory over the Ducks in the series opener at United Center back on November 27. Rookie forward Alex DeBrincat recorded his first career NHL hat trick in the game, while Nick Schmaltz (1g/2a) and Patrick Kane (3a) recorded three points apiece.
Following tonight's game, the Ducks continue their road trip against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday (11 a.m. PT) and Vegas Golden Knights on Monday (7 p.m. PT). When February wraps up, the Ducks will have spent 16 of 28 days on the road.
