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Game #1
Anaheim Ducks @ Dallas Stars
Thursday October 13, 2016 5:30 PM
American Airlines Center
TV: Fox Sports Prime Ticket, Fox Sports San Diego
Radio: AM 830, AnaheimDucks.com
Your Enemy: Defending Big D
After a couple of barn-burners up north last night, Anaheim looks to open their 2016-2017 campaign the right way. Having lost their last three season openers, bucking a trend could go a long way toward Anaheim having a stronger start than last season. Tyler Seguin is back from injury for Dallas, so you can expect a big showing from the Dallas first line tomorrow night. With Cody Eakin and Mattias Janmark out injured, and Valeri Nichushkin leaving to play in the KHL, Tyler Seguin as well as last years Art Ross runner-up Jamie Benn will be carrying a little more weight on their shoulders. While there may be some question marks about their blue line, the Stars will always get strong play from their big guns so expect the Duck’s blue line to be tested early and often.
Speaking of the blue line, Hampus Lindholm has yet to ink a contract with the team that drafted him back in 2012. With Anaheim’s best defenseman still in contract negotiations, we could see some odd defensive pairings tonight. Jacob Larsson, who impressed everyone in this year’s training camp, could get his first shot at NHL action. Expect Gibson to start between the pipes as long as whatever flu bug he had over the weekend has passed.