Ducks at Senators
The Anaheim Ducks are trending in the right direction with wins in three in a row and five of six to join three other teams bidding for second place in the Pacific Division. The Ducks aim to continue their good fortune on Thursday when they play the second contest of a five-game road trip against Atlantic Division representatives with a date versus the spiraling Ottawa Senators.
Adam Henrique scored twice on Tuesday to extend his six-game point streak (six goals, two assists) as Anaheim ended Boston's 18-game point run with a 3-1 victory at TD Garden. "The puck's going in the net right now. So, I feel good, just to keep shooting, keep things simple and not overthink too many things and just keep playing," said the 27-year-old Ontario native, who registered three goals in his last two games versus Ottawa - including two in Anaheim's 3-0 triumph on Dec. 6. The Senators' scoring woes continued out of the All-Star break, as the beleaguered club was limited to just Jean-Gabriel Pageau's goal late in the second period of Tuesday's 2-1 setback versus Carolina. Ottawa has mustered just eight goals during its six-game losing skid.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Anaheim), RDS2, TSN5 (Ottawa)
ABOUT THE DUCKS (25-17-9): All-Star Rickard Rakell set up two goals versus the Bruins to increase his assist total to 20, moving him within three of his career-best sum set over 72 games in 2015-16 while his club-high 38 points are 13 shy of his personal-best established last year. The 24-year-old Swede set up one of Henrique's goals in the earlier contest against the Senators and Ryan Miller turned aside all 29 shots he faced to record his 40th career shutout. The 37-year-old goaltender was called in to replace an injured John Gibson (lower body) during Tuesday's tilt and may draw the start versus Ottawa after the latter sat out Wednesday's practice.
ABOUT THE SENATORS (15-24-9): Ottawa owner Eugene Melnyk reversed course from last month's statement that the team "could look good somewhere else" during his stint on CTV's Your Morning on Wednesday. "Whatever was said in December, it's unfortunate that it hit a real nerve in Ottawa," the 58-year-old told reporters. "The reality is I love the city, I love the people, I love the fans and it's actually my privilege to be there and to ice a team like the Ottawa Senators. I'm really pleased with what's happened so far." Craig Anderson likely isn't as pleased as he has lost four straight starts despite posting a .926 save percentage.
OVERTIME
1. Ottawa's All-Star D Erik Karlsson (team-leading 28 assists) is expected to skate in his 600th career game on Thursday.
2. Anaheim has scored four times on the power play in the last four games after going 4-for-32 in its previous 14.
3. Senators RW Mark Stone (club-best 18 goals, 44 points) is on injured reserve and thus ruled out of Thursday's tilt with a knee injury, although coach Guy Boucher is hopeful he'll return for Saturday's contest against Philadelphia.