Preseason Game Thread Ducks/Avs (Split Squad)

We're inching closer and closer to real hockey. Rookie games and public training camp practices are all well and good, but it only gets better. Tonight the Ducks (technically) open the preseason in Colorado at 6 pm Pacific Time, but before that game is even over they'll also be getting underway at Honda Center.

The first day of preseason always holds a certain level of excitement, but most of it is an illusion. It looks so much like a real hockey game that you can almost taste it. The first chance to (maybe) see new players like Ryan Kesler and (for the Avs) Jerome Iginla in their new uniforms; for some of us the first time being back in the building since .... well you know; the dulcet tones of Steve Carroll and Dan Wood on the radio broadcast (web only).

Sure, by the middle of the second period I'll remember that I don't give a crap about these games and in reality they're pretty boring, not to mention by this time next week it will feel like a whole extra month has passed and we'll be dying for some competitive action. But for now we can enjoy the excitement of the first game.

Rosters

Ducks: Latest/original full training camp roster.Avalanche: Latest full training camp roster. Interestingly, even though they haven't played a preseason game yet, the Avs have already cut 11 players to get their roster down to 56. That's still eight more than the Ducks originally brought to camp, including injured Ducks Kyle Palmieri, Shea Theodore AND Duck in name/contract only Sheldon Souray.
Stay tuned for updates (especially on the expected rosters) as the day goes on, but in the mean time feel free to comment away.,,

And the rosters have been officially released:

A few quick thoughts on the rosters.

1) How is it possible that both Colorado rosters contain three fewer players than the Ducks when the Avs have so many more players in camp?

2) Preseason results matter less than almost anything else in the world... However, if the Ducks sure as hell better win that game in Anaheim. I understand wanting to ice some recognizable names at home, as well as not subjecting your first team to extra unnecessary travel. But we send them Ryan Kesler and they send us.... Cody McLeod?

Lines: Perry-Getzlaf-Heatley, Jackman-Thompson-Kerdiles, Ritchie-Rakell-Etem, and Cramarossa-Wagner-Sarault-Kurtz. #Ducks

— Lance Pugmire (@latimespugmire) September 22, 2014

First goalie off ice today: @f_andersen30

— Lance Pugmire (@latimespugmire) September 22, 2014