PREVIEW: Ducks, Sharks Square Off in Critical Division Battle

The Ducks (41-28-5) head as much as Northern California for a one-game highway journey in opposition to the Sharks (34-31-7).

Puck drop is ready for six pm PT and will likely be nationally televised on TNT.

Anaheim misplaced a troublesome one in additional time on Monday because the Maple Leafs scored with 5 seconds left in the additional body for a 5-4 victory.

“We ought to have had two factors in the sport and been transferring on to [Tuesday]”said John Carlson, who had his first goal as a Duck in the game. “We did a great job for lots of the sport in phrases of how we performed and in phrases of coping with the feelings, however we have to be extra mature and are available out on the highest of those video games.”

Despite the loss, Anaheim has a two-point lead over Edmonton for the highest spot in the Pacific Division.

But all eyes are on tonight’s matchup that includes a few of the brightest younger stars not solely in California, however in the NHL. The Ducks publish a median age of 21 for his or her prime three scorers whereas the Sharks’ prime three scorers’ common age is 20.

At 20 years outdated, Beckett Sennecke is a type of prime three scorers for Anaheim and is tied for essentially the most objectives amongst rookies (22). As the common season winds down, head coach Joel Quenneville shared what he is trying to see out of the Calder Trophy contender.

“I think putting it all together here down the stretch, the games are meaningful, the shifts are valuable,” Quenneville mentioned. “I think adding that on a regular basis from here on out throughout the whole year for him is going to be a work in progress, but the upside is we want to make sure there’s balance. Let him play and let’s play a team game.”

After dropping six video games in a row, the Sharks have gained their final two, most lately beating the Blues 5-4 on Monday. Macklin Celebrini has been an enormous a part of the workforce’s offensive id this 12 months and leads the way in which for the Sharks with 101 factors on the season (38 objectives, 63 assists).

The Ducks will likely be with out their main purpose scorer, Cutter Gauthier as he’ll miss tonight’s sport with an upper-body harm. Quenneville mentioned Radko Gudas may even miss tonight’s sport for Anaheim.