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Penguins vs. Ducks in Anaheim: What to Watch For Tonight
Photo credit: Pittsburgh Hockey Now
The Penguins are heading out to California for a road trip that starts tonight in Anaheim vs. the Ducks, and there are some intriguing storylines to watch for.
The Penguins' West Coast swing will include stops on Thursday against the Kings at Los Angeles and end Saturday in San Jose before they are home next Tuesday to host the Vancouver Canucks at PPG Paints Arena, but first, Anaheim.
The Ducks, in the meantime, come home to start their season after starting it on the road against San Jose and Seattle.
The Ducks started their season losing to the Kraken during 2024 No. 3 draft pick Beckett Sennecke's NHL debut, but rebounded with a wild 7-6 overtime victory against the Sharks.
Chris Kreider tied that game in the final minute before Leo Carlsson won it in the extra period.
The Penguins Will Need to Tighten Their Defense as Anaheim Leads the League in Shots
The Ducks are the leaders in shots per game (40) and have one of the most exciting groups of young forwards in the league. The second-line players Cutter Gauthier, Mason McTavish, and Sennecke already have six goals between them in two games.
On defense, 24-year-old Jackson LaCombe returns following signing a record-breaking contract extension following his breakout season.
Behind the Anaheim bench, experienced coach Joel Quenneville is now in command with Stanley Cup experience on a rebuilding squad.
Goaltender Lukas Dostal may get his first game time tonight after Saturday's shootout victory, in which Petr Mrazek struggled. McTavish said the team intends to "toughen up defensively" after that 13-goal game. Here is the Ducks' projected lineup.
Projected Ducks lines
FORWARDS
Chris Kreider - Leo Carlsson - Alex Killorn
Cutter Gauthier - Mason McTavish - Beckett Sennecke
Frank Vatrano - Mikael Granlund - Troy Terry
Ross Johnston - Ryan Poehling - Nikita Nesterenko
DEFENSEMEN
Jackson LaCombe - Radko Gudas
Olen Zellweger - Jacob Trouba
Pavel Mintyukov - Drew Helleson
GOALIES
Lukas Dostál - Petr Mrázek
FORWARDS
Chris Kreider - Leo Carlsson - Alex Killorn
Cutter Gauthier - Mason McTavish - Beckett Sennecke
Frank Vatrano - Mikael Granlund - Troy Terry
Ross Johnston - Ryan Poehling - Nikita Nesterenko
DEFENSEMEN
Jackson LaCombe - Radko Gudas
Olen Zellweger - Jacob Trouba
Pavel Mintyukov - Drew Helleson
GOALIES
Lukas Dostál - Petr Mrázek
For Pittsburgh, the tale at the top is Kris Letang's health. The veteran defenseman is day-to-day with a lower-body ailment he sustained against the Rangers. If he is unable to play, Connor Clifton or Matt Dumba would have the assignment instead.
For the Penguins, here is their projected lineup that Dan Muse is expected to ice tonight.
Projected Penguins lines
FORWARDS
Rickard Rakell - Sidney Crosby - Bryan Rust
Anthony Mantha - Evgeni Malkin - Justin Brazeau
Tommy Novak - Ben Kindel - Philip Tomasino
Connor Dewar - Blake Lizotte - Filip Hallander / Noel Acciari
DEFENSEMEN
Parker Wotherspoon / Erik Karlsson
Ryan Shea / Kris Letang (Questionable)
Caleb Jones / Harrison Brunicke
GOALIES
Arturs Silovs, Tristan Jarry
FORWARDS
Rickard Rakell - Sidney Crosby - Bryan Rust
Anthony Mantha - Evgeni Malkin - Justin Brazeau
Tommy Novak - Ben Kindel - Philip Tomasino
Connor Dewar - Blake Lizotte - Filip Hallander / Noel Acciari
DEFENSEMEN
Parker Wotherspoon / Erik Karlsson
Ryan Shea / Kris Letang (Questionable)
Caleb Jones / Harrison Brunicke
GOALIES
Arturs Silovs, Tristan Jarry
It's a new challenge for both teams: the Ducks wanting to make a good first impression on their home opener and the Penguins wanting to practice consistency on their California swing.
Previously on HockeyUnplugged
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 14 | 44 ANSWERS Penguins vs. Ducks in Anaheim: What to Watch For Tonight Who will win tonight's game? | ||
| Penguins | 26 | 59.1 % |
| Ducks | 18 | 40.9 % |
| List of polls | ||