Ducks Open 2014-15 Home Schedule vs. Wild
Friday, 10.17.2014 / 9:20 AM
TV: PRIME, FS-N, FS-WIWILD (2-0-0) at DUCKS (3-1-0)
Homecoming: The Anaheim Ducks (3-1-0, 6 pts.) open their 2014-15 home schedule Friday against the Minnesota Wild at Honda Center (7 p.m. PDT, Prime Ticket, AM 830). Anaheim has gone 11-9-0 all-time in Honda Center openers, including winning three of the last four (3-1-0). Through four games, the Ducks have tied the club record for most goals (15, also 1996-97) and have now posted an identical 3-1-0 record in each of the last four seasons (second-best start in franchise history). Te Ducks are coming off their second consecutive Pacific Division title and top record in the Western Conference last season at 54-20-8 for 116 points.
At home, Anaheim went a franchise-best 29-8-4 and set club records in wins and standings points (69). The Ducks own an all-time record of 725-638-215 (1,665 points, .528%) in 1,578 games since their NHL debut in 1993-94.
Following tonight's game, the homestand will continue with games on Sunday, October 19 vs. St. Louis (5 p.m.), Wednesday, October 22 vs. Buffalo (7:30 p.m.), Friday, October 24 vs. Columbus (7 p.m.) and Sunday, October 26 vs. San Jose (5 p.m.).
Fast Starts: Both Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry are off to the best starts of their careers through four games. Getzlaf has his most assists and points (2-4=6) and currently leads the team in assists and co-leads in scoring. For Perry, this marks the first time he has recorded as many goals and points (4-2=6) in the opening four contests. Perry leads the Ducks in goals and co-leads with Getzlaf in scoring. In addition, teammate Ryan Kesler is also riding his fastest start in points (2-3=5) and has matched his best in goals (also 2008-09) and assists (also 2009-10 and 2012-13).
Season series: Anaheim and Minnesota open a three-game season series at Honda Center. The Ducks went 2-1-0 vs. the Wild in 2013-14: 1-1-0 in Anaheim and 1-0-0 in Minnesota. All-time, the Ducks are 24-17-9 vs. the Wild and 15-8-2 at home. Anaheim has won five of the last six games dating to the start of the 2012-13 season and is led by Getzlaf (8-23=31) and Perry (16-15=31), who both have a team-leading 31 points in 32 career games against Minnesota. The Ducks and Wild will continue the season series in Minnesota with games slated for Friday, December 5 (5 p.m. PT) and Friday, March 13 (5 p.m. PT).
Ducks team scope: Former Wild defenseman Clayton Stoner, who signed a four-year, $13 million contract with the Ducks this offseason, is expected to be in the lineup. Another former Wild player, forward Dany Heatley, is not; he has been out since the preseason with a groin injury, and despite a productive day of skating Thursday, is not expected to be ready this weekend. Anaheim put forward Patrick Maroon (MCL sprain) and defenseman Bryan Allen (lower body) on injured reserve Wednesday. Maroon was injured against the Buffalo Sabres on Monday on a hit by Buffalo defenseman Josh Gorges. Allen hasn't played yet this season.
“I’m just trying to stay positive right now,” said Maroon. “It’s not as bad as we thought it would be, so I’m just trying to come in every day with a positive attitude.”
Maroon said he knew immediately that something was wrong. “I was kind of worried for a second, but the doctor came in and gave me some positive thoughts,” he said. “That’s always a good sign. I’m just going to try and stay healthy, get stronger as I work out, and try to get back on the ice as soon as possible.”
“I didn’t know what to think when he was lying on the ice,” said head coach Bruce Boudreau. “I’ve never seen Patty lie on the ice before. His leg looked all [crooked]. It’s good news in my way of thinking. But at the same time, you’re missing a big cog on your first line.”
Wild team scope: The Wild haven't played since Saturday, a 3-0 win at the Colorado Avalanche. The Wild had an off day and two days of practice before departing a day early for team-bonding activities in Southern California. The Wild swept a season-opening home-and-home with the Avalanche, winning by a combined 8-0. Kuemper, 24, became the youngest goalie in NHL history to have a shutout in each of the first two games of the season. With so much time off, look for Wild coach Mike Yeo to juggle his lineup to get more players involved. Defensemen Matt Dumba and Keith Ballard will be the third pairing against the Ducks, which means there is a chance Nate Prosser and Christian Folin will play Sunday against the Los Angeles Kings.
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