Sabres at Ducks
THE STORY: After playing all but one of their last 10 games
on the road, the Anaheim Ducks will certainly welcome a return to the
friendly confines of the Honda Center. The Ducks, who collected 14 of a
possible 20 points (6-2-2) on the trip, will look to continue their good
fortune Wednesday when they host the Buffalo Sabres. Coach Lindy Ruff's
charges have also turned it on as of late, recording 19 of a possible
28 points (8-3-3) to pull within seven of the eighth-place Washington
Capitals in the Eastern Conference.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, MSG (Sabres), FS Prime Ticket (Ducks)
ABOUT THE SABRES (27-27-8):
Buffalo has had plenty of time to lick its wounds following Saturday's
3-2 overtime loss to the New York Rangers. When the Sabres hit the ice
on Wednesday, they'll also have center Cody Hodgson in tow. The 10th
overall pick of the 2008 draft, Hodgson was acquired at the trade
deadline from the Vancouver Canucks for fellow first-year player Zack
Kassian. Hodgson has scored in each of his last two games versus the
Ducks.
ABOUT THE DUCKS (27-26-10): After dropping a 4-1
decision to the Colorado Avalanche on Monday, Anaheim returns home where
it has won nine of its previous 11 contests (9-1-1). The Ducks have
ridden goaltender Jonas Hiller during their surge as the Swiss netminder
has started the last 23 contests. Hiller won his first two career
starts versus the Sabres before yielding four goals in the
season-opening loss on Oct. 7. Anaheim sits six points out of eighth
place in the Western Conference.
OVERTIME:
1.
Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller has evened his career record versus the
Ducks by winning his last two games. In his last outing, Miller stopped
29 of 30 shots as the Sabres skated to a 4-1 win.
2. After a
dismal start to the season, many expected Anaheim to be an active seller
at the trade deadline. After 17-4-4 run, the Ducks elected to play it
close to the vest and make two smaller trades for minor-league players.