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GAMEDAY 10/1/15: Preseason vs Avalanche Preview + Game Thread


Preseason Game #5

Colorado Avalanche
@ Anaheim Ducks

Thursday, October 1, 2015 7:00 PM PT

Honda Center

TV: Prime Ticket
Radio: AnaheimDucks.com

Your Enemy: Mile High Hockey

Complete Coverage >


In the midst of a three game exhibition winning streak, Anaheim welcomes the only team to top them this preseason to Honda Center.

The Ducks and Avalanche will play a three-on-three overtime session after three periods regardless the scoring, giving Anaheim faithful the first opportunity to see the new format at home.

Rosters

Expected Ducks lines via Eric Stephens, Orange County Register.

Ducks

Carl HagelinRyan GetzlafChris Stewart

Jiri SekacRickard RakellCorey Perry

Nick RitchieChris WagnerMike Santorelli

Patrick MaroonShawn HorcoffTim Jackman

Hampus LindholmKevin Bieksa

Cam FowlerJosh Manson

Clayton StonerSami Vatanen

John Gibson

Scratches: Andrew Cogliano, Ryan Kesler, Jakob Silfverberg, Brian McGrattan, Simon Despres, Korbinian Holzer

Notes

This will be the preseason debut for Hagelin, who also did not participate in any of the public training camp scrimmage sessions. His slotting with Getzlaf and Stewart is interesting, as Hagelin's speed makes him valuable on the rush, while the other two are more cycling-type players. Still, Hagelin is renowned for his forechecking ability and is good along the boards as well; it will be interesting to see whether the combination clicks.

Stoner also makes his first exhibition appearance for the Ducks, resting Despres with what coach Bruce Boudreau said was nothing serious, per NHL.com’s Curtis Zupke. Anaheim also announced earlier that Max Friberg, Michael Sgarbossa, Ondrej Kase and Matt Hackett have been assigned to San Diego, they will join up with Gulls training camp and potentially take part in Monday’s exhibition game against the Ontario Reign at Honda Center. Remember you can join the guys from ‘Anaheim Calling: The Podcast‘ at The Pint House off Katella at 5 PM on Monday before the Gulls-Reign game.

Perry’s two-goal night in the defeat of the Kings has vaulted him to the top of the Ducks preseason scoring leader board with three goals in two games. Wagner and Sekac each have scored twice in three games, while Maroon has a goal and an assist, and Vatanen, Despres, Rakell, Santorelli, and Ritchie each have two helpers.

Colorado signed Curtis Glencross to a late PTO deal earlier in the week after he was released from a PTO in Toronto, and per the Avalanche website had his first practice with the team on Wednesday. According to the article the Avs have all but figured out their roster, with the defense set amongst a group of eight while the 16 remaining forwards battle for 13 spots. Coach Patrick Roy said in the piece that he’ll use 90% of his lineup in this and Colorado’s final preseason game, so expect lines and pairs seen tonight to likely be ones the Avs will use as the season opens.

The Avalanche are coming off a 2-0 shutout loss in Calgary, with Jiri Hudler scoring in the first and second periods as the hosts outshot Colorado by a 32-29 margin. The Avs were whistled for five minors, icing a lineup that was primarily composed of players battling for roster spots. Through four exhibition games Colorado is 1-2-1, and since putting up five goals against Anaheim in the first preseason tilt have been shutout twice by the Flames and managed just a Tyson Barrie goal from Blake Comeau and Matt Duchene in a 2-1 shootout loss to Los Angeles on Sunday, September 27.

Talking Points