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| ANAHEIM DUCKS |
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12-28-5 (29 points; .322%) ROSTER / SCHEDULE |
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7:00 P.M. – THURSDAY, JANUARY 19 NATIONWIDE ARENA COLUMBUS, OH |
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TELEVISION: Bally Sports Ohio ESPN+ (Out of Market) |
Sometimes when you win, you really lose.
That old adage could eventually prove true in Thursday's clash between the Anaheim Ducks and Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.
Both teams are on pace for a league-worst 52 points, and it's likely that the two franchises will be in direct competition with each other in this summer's NHL Draft lottery. With Connor Bedard as the top prize, it's the loser of Thursday's game that could give themselves a slight advantage in being able to draft the best prospect since another Connor — McDavid — went first overall in 2015.
Here's what to know when the Ducks and Blue Jackets face off for the first time this season:
| CBJ | SEASON STATS | ANA |
|---|---|---|
| 2.50 | GOALS FOR | 2.27 |
| 3.89 | GOALS AGAINST | 4.18 |
| -1.39 | GOAL DIFFERENTIAL | -1.91 |
| 14.4% | POWER PLAY | 16.7% |
| 76.7% | PENALTY KILL | 72.1% |
| 28.9 | SHOTS FOR | 28.9 |
| 35.1 | SHOTS AGAINST | 39.0 |
| 45.3% | CF% (EVEN) | 43.7% |
| 47.9% | FACE-OFF % | 46.2% |
| PROJECTIONS | ||
| ODDS OF CBJ WIN PER MONEYPUCK | 62% | |
| ODDS OF CBJ WIN PER THE 538 | 62% | |
| CAESAR'S SPORTSBOOK BETTING | CBJ -155 | |
| DUCKS: LAST THREE GAMES | ||
| FRI, 1/13 | vs Devils | L, 6-2 |
| MON, 1/16 | @ Penguins | L, 4-3 OT |
| TUE, 1/17 | @ Flyers | L, 5-2 |
| DUCKS: TEAM LEADERS | ||
| GOALS | Adam Henrique | 15 |
| ASSISTS | Troy Terry | 24 |
| POINTS | Troy Terry | 36 |
TALKING POINTS: DUCKS
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The Ducks are struggling right now — even for them. They're 0-4-1 in their last five games, being outscored 28-10 during that span.
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Thursday's game is the third in a season-long, six-game road trip for the Ducks. It's also their third game in four nights.
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Anaheim is last in the league in goals per game (2.27). They're also last in the league in goals allowed per game (4.18). Things are rough in Columbus right now, but the Ducks are living proof that it can definitely be worse.
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Even though he doesn't lead Anaheim in any of the big three stat categories, the most dangerous player on the Ducks' roster is undoubtedly Trevor Zegras. The 22-year-old is second on the team in goals (14), assists (21), and points (35), and is one off the team lead in all three categories.
- The line of Zegras, Troy Terry, and Adam Henrique is one to be aware of. Of all lines with 250+ minutes, the trio ranks 14th in the NHL in goals per 60 minutes, at 2.95. Look for that line to be responsible for at least one goal at Nationwide on Thursday.
CBJ STORYLINES
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POWER PLAY OPPORTUNITY
Columbus' dreadful power play will have another crack to see success Thursday, this time against one of the worst penalty kills in the league. Anaheim's 72% kill rate is third-worst in the league, and they've allowed a goal while on the PK in four of their last five games. The Blue Jackets are without a power play tally in their last six games, going 0-for-14 to bring their league-worst percentage to 14.4%.
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MORE MINUTES TALK
Kent Johnson saw 9 minutes, 43 seconds of ice time in Tuesday's loss to the Nashville Predators. Only Emil Bemstrom (8:15) saw less. Johnson is third on the team, trailing only Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine, in points per 60 minutes. His 14.5% shooting percentage is second on the team, trailing only Kirill Marchenko. Play the guy.
PROJECTED LINES
Updated: 3:05 p.m. // Subject to Change
| LW | C | RW | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Johnny Gaudreau | 96 | Jack Roslovic | 29 | Patrik Laine |
| 91 | Kent Johnson | 38 | Boone Jenner | 14 | Gus Nyquist |
| 50 | Eric Robinson | 7 | Sean Kuraly | 24 | Mathieu Olivier |
| 86 | Kirill Marchenko | 34 | Cole Sillinger | 52 | Emil Bemstrom |
| LD | RD | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Vladislav Gavrikov | 27 | Adam Boqvist |
| 75 | Tim Berni | 44 | Eric Gudbranson |
| 77 | Nick Blankenburg | 2 | Andrew Peeke |
| Starting Goalie | Backup | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | Elvis Merzlikins | 40 | Daniil Tarasov |
