Preview: Stars @ Ducks (3/82) - It's Leo Szn

Recent Performance

The Ducks are coming off a thrilling 6-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, but that was all the way back on Sunday. The NHL schedule has been a bit wonky for the Ducks to start, having back-to-back games and then three off days before being back in action tonight, hosting the Dallas Stars. There were a lot of encouraging positives to take away from Sunday’s game, most notably a hat trick from Frank Vatrano, the first time an Anaheim Duck has recorded a hat trick during the home opener. Pavel Mintyukov also scored his first career NHL goal, with an assist from Jackson LaCombe, his first career point.

The Dallas Stars are widely considered to be a Stanley Cup contender this season, much like the Carolina Hurricanes, so the Ducks are in for another steep test tonight. The Stars are coming off a 3-2 shootout loss at the hands of the defending champion Vegas Golden Knights back on Tuesday. Like the Ducks, the Stars have only played twice so far, but both of their games have gone to a shootout. They defeated the St Louis Blues in their season opener by a 2-1 count. If the Ducks are going to push this game past regulation, they will need to make sure they are ready to go defensively.

Players to Watch

Anaheim Ducks - Leo Carlsson. If you thought Leo season was something about August birthdays and space and planets and constellations and whatever, you’re wrong. It begins tonight and it will be glorious.

Dallas Stars - Jason Robertson. He is an elite scoring forward in the NHL and has yet to notch his first goal of the season through the first couple low-scoring contests. I expect him to be eager to find the back of the net, particularly on the power play. The Ducks would be very well-advised to not take as many penalties as they have against both Vegas and Carolina so far.

Stat Pack

prediction

Dallas is a damn good team and there’s not much doubt about that. The Ducks are still figuring things out with a new system, new coach, and now introducing new players into the lineup to make their debut (both Leo Carlsson and Tristan Luneau tonight), so if I’m picking with my heart, I’d say 4-2 Ducks. Since I’m going to be logical and pick with my head, I’ll say 3-2 Ducks in OT because we beat Carolina so there’s no reason we can’t beat everybody.