Dallas (29-11-4) at Anaheim (18-17-7)
When: Friday, January 15th 2016
Where: Honda Center, Anaheim, CA
Time: 10:05 ET | TV: FSN Southwest, FS Prime Ticket
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The Anaheim Ducks continue their eight-game homestand Friday night when the play host to the Dallas Stars. The Ducks are currently 3-2 on the homestand, scoring four goals in each of the three wins and one goal total in the two losses. Anaheim is 6-2-1 over all in it’s last nine games and sit four points out the playoffs. Frederik Andersen made 24 saves in Anaheim’s win over Ottawa on Wednesday improving to 6-3-3 in his last 12 games after going winless in his first eight appearances of the season. Johns Gibson could get the start tonight. He has been the better goalie overall this season posting a 9-8 record with a 1.84 GAA and .926 SV%. Jakob Silfverberg, who has just 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists) on the season, has recorded two multi-points games over the last three contests. Captain Ryan Getzlaf has a point in three straight games including an assist against Ottawa after he was demoted in-game after a failed drop pass resulted in a goal. Anaheim has killed off 28 straight power plays in their last eight games. The Ducks will finish up the homestand with the Kings and Wild before going back to the East Coast for three games.
After an incredible start to the season, the Stars have hit a rough patch losing five of their last seven overall including their last five road games. Dallas is starting a three-game California trip tonight that will include San Jose and Los Angeles. Dallas still has the top scoring offense in the NHL at 3.3 goals per game and the 3rd best power play at 22.5%. They still own the #1 seed in the West, but the Blackhawks have caught them and are tied with 62 points. Jason Spezza recorded his ninth point in seven contests with an assist, but it wasn’t enough as the Stars dropped a 2-1 contest to Minnesota on Saturday. Captain Jamie Benn scored his team’s lone goal against the Wild and notched three assists in Dallas’ 4-3 victory over Anaheim on October 27th. His brother Jordie is expected to return to the lineup after missing the last two games due to a lower-body injury. Ales Hemsky (3 goals, 10 assists) will be back in the lineup after missing six straight games with a lower-body injury. Goalies Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen have been splitting time most of the season, but Niemi is 0-2-1 so far this month.
Dallas comes into this game with five days rest. This is a solid team on offense, but they have goaltending issues. The Ducks seem to be going in the right direction and I’ll take them in this game tonight.
Pick: Ducks -110
