7:09 pm
November 28

Ducks @ Panthers

Who will WIN this matchup?

Anaheim Ducks (11-10-5)

@ Florida Panthers (9-9-4)

 

Starting Goalies:

John Gibson (ANA): Likely

James Reimer (FLA): Confirmed

 

Current odds:

Anaheim Ducks: (+145)

Florida Panthers: (-165)

 

• With the exception of a five-game winning streak earlier this month, victories have been few and far between for the Florida Panthers, who have a chance to build some momentum as they continue an eight-game homestand against the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday night. Florida ended a three-game losing streak with a 4-3 overtime win over New Jersey on Monday. Jonathan Huberdeau’s tying goal with 89 seconds remaining in regulation set up Mike Hoffman’s game-winner to give the Panthers a split of two overtime games to open the homestand.

• After dropping the opener of a four-game road trip at Western Conference-leading Nashville, the Ducks scored twice in the third period of 3-1 win at Tampa Bay, which was atop the Eastern Conference entering the matchup. It halted a six-game slide away from home for Anaheim, which had scored a combined seven goals during the road drought.

• Anaheim has produced more than three goals just once in the past 19 games, but received an unexpected offensive jolt as Nick Ritchie and Carter Rowney scored less than a minute apart in the third period against the Lightning. It was the second goal of the season for both players – Ritchie scored both of his in the past three games while Rowney returned from a 20-game absence. John Gibson has career numbers of 1-3-0 with a 3.81 goals-against average versus the Panthers, but he beat them with a 50-save effort a year ago.

• Jared McCann matched his career high with nine goals in 2017-18 and scored only once in the first 16 games this season, but has connected in back-to-back contests. Three of McCann’s four goals have come in the last five games, offering needed production for a team that lost center Vincent Trochek to a broken ankle last week. “Jared’s making the most of that opportunity,” Panthers coach Bob Boughner told reporters. “I think his game hit a different level since maybe the first 15-16 games. He’s definitely stepped it up. It’s good to see.”

• Hoffman has at least one point in 19 of his last 20 games.

• Ducks D Hampus Lindholm (lower body) has missed five straight games and his status is unclear for Wednesday.

• Florida is 16-for-46 on the power play over the past 13 games.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Florida Panthers
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