Wild at Ducks
THE STORY: For a team that features reigning Hart Trophy winner Corey Perry and veteran snipers like Teemu Selanne and Ryan Getzlaf, the Anaheim Ducks do not expect to be last in the NHL in scoring average. But that is what the Ducks are dealing with right now thanks to a power play that was stuck in neutral until tallying twice on Friday. Anaheim only put 21 shots on goal against the Vancouver Canucks but managed to squeeze out a 4-3 victory, snapping a six-game losing streak. The Ducks’ last win before Friday came on Oct. 27 at the Minnesota Wild, 3-2. The Wild have hit a bit of a rough patch midway through their five-game road trip, losing its last two games by a combined 8-3. The skid comes on the heels of a five-game winning streak in which Minnesota allowed a total of three tallies. The Wild will be looking to get back to their winning ways when they visit the Ducks on Sunday.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSNO (Minnesota), FSPT (Anaheim)
ABOUT THE WILD (8-5-3): After starting a five-game trip with a 3-0 win at Calgary, Minnesota has suffered against the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings. Josh Harding, whose hot hand the Wild rode during the winning streak, was lifted in the second period of Saturday’s 5-2 loss to the Kings. Niklas Backstrom worked the final 28 minutes and will likely get the nod again on Sunday.
ABOUT THE DUCKS (6-7-3): Anaheim has won only twice in its last 11 games to fall into last place in the Pacific Division. The Ducks have averaged 1.67 goals in their last nine losses, including a pair of shutouts. But the offense showed some life against the Canucks, scoring four times in the second period and twice on the power play. Perry scored his sixth goal win, snapping a three-game drought.
OVERTIME:
1. Perry has 25 points in 23 career games against Minnesota, including two - one goal - in the last meeting.
2. Backstrom is 7-5-0 with a 2.47 GAA against the Ducks in his career.
3. Dany Heatley earned his 700th career point with an assist on Saturday.