Game #8

Anaheim Ducks @ Philadelphia Flyers

Time: Tuesday, October 24th, 4:00 PM PST

Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia

TV: PRIME, NHL.TV

Radio: AM 830

The Enemy: Broad Street Hockey

The Anaheim Ducks are coming off a wild victory against the Montreal Canadiens, where we saw them have their best offensive game of the season, and possibly their worst 2nd period of play ever. They will try and continue the current win streak (1) as they begin a four game road trip against the Philadelphia Flyers. This is the second (and final) time these two teams will meet this season and the Ducks will look for a better outcome than the first meeting - a 3-2 overtime loss. With the win on Sunday, the Ducks moved to 3-3-1 which puts them in 5th place in the Pacific.

The Flyers are finishing their home stand against the Ducks after winning three of their last four games, the most recent one being a 2-1 victory of the Edmonton Oilers. The Flyers are 5-3-0 and are sitting in 3rd place of the Metropolitan division.

All Eyes On Me:

The big story is the return of Hampus Lindholm. It was announced Monday morning that he would make his season debut after an off-season shoulder surgery kept him sidelined the first 7 games.

Lindholm is the Ducks’ best overall defenseman. He contributes on offense while being a defensive and possession juggernaut. Most importantly, he can drive the rush out of their own zone, allowing the Ducks to more effectively set up an offensive attack, which is what the Ducks desperately need. It’s safe to say Ducks fans were pretty stoked to see the news about their future Norris-winning defenseman.

We will also see the Ducks Captain, Ryan Getzlaf, return to the lineup. Not to beat a dead horse, but this comes at a time when the Ducks need it most, after gathering concerns for several players on the team. Cam Fowler is looking at a 4-6 week recovery minimum after injuring his knee in Sunday’s game. In addition to that, it was announced Monday evening that Patrick Eaves was hospitalized with Guillian-Barre Syndrome.

It is uncertain at this time how long this will sideline Eaves. Fortunately the disorder was caught early and Eaves is expected to make a full recovery. So yeah, it’s really good to hear Lindholm and Getzlaf will be back to help the Ducks out.

Keys to The Game:

Seven players on the Ducks are currently tied for the goal lead (yes, Derek Grant is one of them). The Ducks will certainly stand a better chance getting the W if they get the same four-line contribution. With Getzlaf back in the lineup (something the Ducks didn’t have the first time against the Flyers), Carlyle will look to him, along with Corey Perry and Rickard Rakell, to lead the Ducks and set the tone early offensively.

The Flyers will need the same play they’ve been getting out of their Big 4. Claude Giroux is having a bounce back year as he’s racked up 5 goals and 10 points in the first 8 games. Jakub Voracek and Shayne Gostisbehere are playmakers, each with 10 assists. And of course Wayne Simmonds who scored the overtime winner in the first meeting with the Ducks.