Ducks at Blue Jackets
THE STORY: The Anaheim Ducks continue their marathon road trip Sunday when they face off against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. Anaheim began its season-high eight-game trek with a shootout loss at Detroit on Friday, earning at least one point for the seventh time in eight road contests (4-1-3). The Ducks are 11-2-3 in their last 16 overall. Columbus has won three of its last four overall games but has lost two of three at home.
TV: 6 p.m. ET, KDOC (Anaheim), FSN Ohio (Columbus)
ABOUT THE DUCKS (21-24-9): Teemu Selanne has now gone two straight games without a point, putting a hold on his climb up several all-time lists. The “Finnish Flash” needs one goal to pull even with Brendan Shanahan (656) for 12th place and is one point away from tying Brett Hull (1,391) for 21st. Selanne, who is four points behind Luc Robitaille for 20th on the all-time list, recently was asked whether or not he would request a deal if Anaheim is out of the playoff picture as the trade deadline approaches. “I have tried to avoid that question,” he said. “We still have (hope). Everybody in this room believes that we can make the playoffs, and I think that would be almost wrong to even think about any other options. That's not in my mind right now. Let's see what happens.”
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (16-33-6): James Wisniewski made a triumphant return to the lineup Saturday by recording a goal and an assist in a victory at Minnesota. The defenseman was activated from injured reserve earlier in the day after missing 17 games with an ankle injury. R.J. Umberger halted his seven-game goalless drought with a pair of tallies Saturday. It was his first multi-goal performance since March 22 against Colorado. Derick Brassard has collected six points in his last five games.
OVERTIME:
1. Neither club has fared well against the other's division of late. Anaheim has lost 17 of 22 vs. the Central, while Columbus has dropped 20 of 27 against clubs from the Pacific.
2. Ducks goaltender Jonas Hiller has allowed two goals or less in 13 of his last 15 starts.