Game #23: Ducks vs. Senators Gameday Preview

For the fourth time this season, the Ducks will face a team playing its second game of a back-to-back (SEGABABA). The Ducks are currently 1-2-0 in games against teams on a SEGABABA. The Ottawa Senators come into town off the back of a 5-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings last night.

Los Angeles Kings Score Four Unanswered Goals To Defeat The Ottawa Senators 5-2

Anaheim enters tonight’s game under .500 after suffering a 2-1 loss to the Kings on Black Friday. Despite their loss on Friday, Ryan Strome and Ducks head coach Greg Cronin were encouraged by their team's recent play.

"I think our breakouts have been much better, so we're spending less time in our zone," Strome said. "I think we're moving in the right direction. The consistency for the last week to two weeks or so has been a lot better and I think that's something that we've been trying to work towards."

"I think we've been on a pretty good path in terms of playing with an identity and competing (since the New York road trip)," Cronin said. "I think everybody has stepped up. There's healthy competition for playing time and when you have that healthy competition, I think it puts people on their toes. The last 10-11 games, we haven't had too many stinkers. We've had some periods that were off, but I think, for the most part, we've played really well as a group."

Related: Senators vs Ducks Pre-Game Stat Pack, Scouting Report

Yesterday, defenseman Tyson Hinds was reassigned to AHL San Diego. With Urho Vaakanainen and Leo Carlsson both injured but still on the active roster, reassigning Hinds opened up a roster spot.

A move like this indicates that Cam Fowler (upper-body) may be ready to be activated from injured reserve. Fowler has been practicing with the team for the past week.

With John Gibson starting the last two games for Anaheim, the expectation would be that Lukáš Dostál gets the net tonight. Gibson has not started three consecutive games this season and Dostál's last appearance came just under a week ago.

With Anton Forsberg starting last night against the Kings, Linus Ullmark will be in net tonight for the Senators. He is 3-2-1 in his career against the Ducks with a .927 SV% and 2.30 GAA.

Former Duck David Perron is unlikely to face his former team. He missed last night's game––his third straight absence––with an upper-body injury.

Ducks Projected Lines

Trevor Zegras - Mason McTavish - Alex Killorn
Frank Vatrano - Ryan Strome - Troy Terry
Cutter Gauthier - Isac Lundeström - Brett Leason
Ross Johnston - Jansen Harkins - Sam Colangelo

Jackson LaCombe - Olen Zellweger
Pavel Mintyukov - Radko Gudas
Brian Dumoulin - Drew Helleson

Lukáš Dostál (projected)

Senators Projected Lines

Brady Tkachuk - Tim Stützle - Adam Gaudette
Claude Giroux - Josh Norris - Drake Batherson
Cole Reinhardt - Shane Pinto - Michael Amadio
Noah Gregor - Zach Ostapchuk - Ridly Greig

Jake Sanderson - Travis Hamonic
Thomas Chabot - Jacob Bernard-Docker
Tyler Klevin - Nick Jensen

Linus Ullmark (confirmed)