Gamethread: Ducks @ Panthers

Numbers for Nerds:

Aaron Ekblad is on pace to score 48 points this season. The two most recent rookie defenseman to do that were Tyler Myers in 2009-10 (48 points) and Dion Phaneuf in 2005-06 (49 points). My takeaway from that: The Ducks will be calling about Ekblad's services once he is past his prime.

Team Records:

Ducks: 34-12-6, 74 Pts (1st in Pacific, 2nd in NHL), 3.00 G/GP, 2.74 GA/GP

Panthers: 23-17-11, 57 Pts (5th in Atlantic, 19th in NHL), 2.49 G/GP, 2.84 GA/GP

Ducks Team Leaders:

Points: Ryan Getzlaf (17-37-54), Corey Perry (23-15-38), Ryan Kesler (15-22-37); Among Defensemen, Sami Vatanen (12-21-33)

TOI/GP: Francois Beauchemin (22:37), Hampus Lindholm (22:01), Sami Vatanen (22:00); Among Forwards, Ryan Getzlaf (20:15)

Possession (5v5 FF%, minimum 30 GP): Patrick Maroon (56.1%), Ben Lovejoy (54.1%),Matt Beleskey (54.1%)

Possession numbers and chart via WAR-on-ice.com.

Panthers Team Leaders:

Points: Nick Bjugstad (17-15-32), D Aaron Ekblad (8-22-30), Jonathan Huberdeau (9-19-28)

TOI/GP: Brian Campbell (23:29), Willie Mitchell (22:12), Aaron Ekblad (22:07); Among Forwards, Aleksander Barkov (16:40)

Possession (5v5 FF%, minimum 30 GP): Sean Bergenheim (56.0%), Aleksander Barkov (55.3%),Brian Campbell (54.6%)

Possession numbers and chart via WAR-on-ice.com.

Goalies:

Ducks: Ilya Bryzgalov (1-3-1) .859 SV%, 20.29 SA/GP

Panthers: Roberto Luongo (19-13-9) .918 SV%, 28.57 SA/GP

Power Play:

Ducks: 18.2% (15th in league), Sami Vatanen (7 PPG, 17 PPP)

Panthers: 14.6% (27th in league), Nick Bjugstad (5 PPG, 9PPP)

Penalty Kill:

Ducks: 82.1% (14th in league), Andrew Cogliano (2 SHG)

Panthers: 79.9% (21st in league), no SHG