Game 66

Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Time: 5:30 PM PST

Location: United Center, Chicago

TV: NBCSCH

Radio: AM 830

The Anaheim Ducks finished off their road trip it true Ducks fashion by dropping an egg against one of the few teams lower in standings than the Ducks. On the plus side, it moved the Ducks below the Sharks in the standings, which means better luck at the lottery! They now get to head out to Chicago on the first leg of a back-to-back against the Blackhawks.

The Ducks will have a chance to bounce back from their letdown of the last home game. They’ve made a lot of changes to their current lines and it’s shown some early promise even though it’s hard to fully gauge with their defense broken in pieces. Hampus Lindholm, Cam Fowler, and Erik Gudbranson (yes he’s actually positive to the team) are all still out and it’s been a challenge to provide solid and stable defense.

The Blackhawks are in a similar situation the Ducks—down in the standings, direction-less, and finding trouble with consistency. However, they certainly seem to still have hopes of making playoffs. Sitting six points out of the playoffs, they have some good young talent like Dominik Kubalik, and Patrick Kane that are skilled as ever.

Keys to the Game

Don’t get caught standing on defense. A play that has been occurring far too often the last few games is when an opposing team’s player generates a scoring opportunity after beating a Ducks defenseman by taking an outside angle to close in on the net. The Ducks have to know they don’t have the fastest defensemen. They have to be better at anticipating the rush and being able to keep players in front of them.

Score goals. One reason the Ducks lost to the Devils is because they couldn’t get a goal. I know, crazy. They need to find ways to get the offense going again. I know, also a crazy idea. It’ll lie in the Ducks ability to create space to open up passing lanes and force the goalie to move out of position.