Ducks at Panthers
THE STORY: The Anaheim Ducks were 20 points out of playoff position Jan. 6. After a 14-2-4 run, they still face an uphill climb, but the prospects are far brighter. The Ducks will try to continue their surge when they visit the Florida Panthers on Sunday. Florida, which has lost two straight, is involved in its own drama as it leads Washington and Winnipeg by two and three points, respectively, in the Southeast Division.
TV: 6 p.m. ET, FS Prime Ticket (Ducks), FS Florida (Panthers)
ABOUT THE DUCKS (24-24-10): Anaheim is 3-0-2 on its season-long eight-game road trip following a 3-2 shootout loss at New Jersey on Friday. The Ducks’ good fortune continued when defenseman Sheldon Brookbank tied the game with his second career goal in 253 games – and first in 167 contests – with 2:13 remaining in regulation. Jonas Hiller has started 17 straight games in goal and is 11-2-4 in that span, including 5-0-3 in his last eight. Anaheim still needs to pass five teams to reach the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, a daunting task made harder in the potential three-point game era.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (27-19-11): The Southeast winner might be the only division representative in the Stanley Cup tournament, as Florida is the lone team currently in playoff position. The Panthers lost 2-1 to Washington on Friday, falling in regulation after carrying a lead into the third period for the first time this season (16-1-4). Left wing Tomas Fleischmann has a point in five straight games (two goals, four assists). Stephen Weiss is expected to play his 613th game with the Panthers on Sunday, which will tie him with Radek Dvorak for the club record.
OVERTIME:
1. Reigning Hart Trophy winner Corey Perry of Anaheim has scored in four straight games and has six goals during that span.
2. The Ducks have won four of the last five meetings, including a 5-3 victory in the last meeting on Dec. 1, 2010, in Anaheim, and have won two straight at Florida.