Red Wings-Duckies Game Day Updates, Keys to the Game

Jack Sznewajs

• 2 min read Front Page

Game Day Updates

Well, we know they skated. That’s the only thing anybody in Anaheim has to say of note for today though - J.J.

Projected Lines

Red Wings

Bert-Larkin-Mantha
AA-Filppula-Fabbri
Perlini-Nielsen-Smith
Helm-Ehn-Erne

Nemeth-Hronek
Cholowski-McIlrath
Bowey-Green

Howard
Bernier

Ducks

Ritchie-Getzlaf-Kase
Rakell-Henrique-Silfverberg
Comtois-Steel-Terry
Jones-Grant-Rowney

Del Zotto-Fowler
Mahura-Gudbranson
Larsson-Holzer

Miller
Gibson


Keys to the Game

1. Special Teams

During the 13-game stretch in which the Red Wings won a mere one game, their PP converted at only 12.2% and their PK at 63.6%. In these back-to-back wins vs. Boston and Vegas their PP was 3/7 and their PK killed 5/6. Special teams seemingly always has a direct outcome and it shows so far this season for Detroit. The Red Wings are going up against the 2nd worst PP in the league (converting at just 8.5%) and the 12th worst PK (80%). The Red Wings should be able to capitalize against the Ducks on either the power play or while shorthanded. If they do, they could finally get their first three-game win streak of the year.


2. Shots and Goaltending

Again let’s look at the 13-game sample size and compare it to the last two games. The Red Wings allowed an average of 36.6 shots per game while going 1-11-1. Against Vegas and Boston they allowed 47 shots combined. There’s a reason they held each team to two goals, because Bernier and Howie weren’t peppered with shots the entire game. Yes, both goalies have been subpar at best this year, but they are also having to work for a full 60 minutes when the defense plays as bad as they have. There’s obviously a direct correlation between shots and goals. The Ducks rank 28th in the league as far as shots per game goes (28.7). So once again, this is an area of the game that the Red Wings can capitalize on.


3. 2nd Line Production

For as much as the Ducks have struggled of late, they sport one of the best 2nd lines in all of hockey. Rakell-Henrique-Silfverberg have combined for 36 points in 18 games played and are 3 of the Ducks top 4 scorers. For a team that has scored the 9th fewest goals in the NHL, that’s some pretty good production out of your 2nd line. As for the Red Wings, we have a pretty good idea as to the 2nd line tonight, but it could always change with Blashill behind the bench. Assuming it is AA-Filppula-Fabbri, they have to be able to keep producing as they have the last two games. However, with all of Fabbri’s points coming off of playing with Mantha or Bertuzzi, you have to wonder if he can jump start a line now and also help get AA going, who scored his 2nd goal of the year Sunday vs. Vegas. Either way, the 2nd line matchup tonight could very well be the most intriguing of them all.